Hypomelanoses in children

• Main Authors: Nanja van Geel, Marijn Speeckaert, Ines Chevolet, Sofie De Schepper, Hilde Lapeere, Barbara Boone, Reinhart Speeckaert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2013-01-01
• Series: Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery
• Subjects: Depigmentation; hypomelanosis; hypopigmentation; review; vitiligo; Wood′s light
• Online Access: http://www.jcasonline.com/article.asp?issn=0974-2077;year=2013;volume=6;issue=2;spage=65;epage=72;aulast=van

Hypomelanosis of the skin is a frequently encountered problem in childhood, being totally innocent or representing the first sign of a multisystem disorder. Medical history, clinical examination, Wood′s light investigation, histological analysis of the skin and a multidisciplinary consultation can contribute to a correct and early diagnosis of the different types of hypopigmentations. In the present paper, we present a systematic clinical approach to the differential diagnosis of those skin disorders.