Tacrolimus Ointment for Vitiligo in Children

A retrospective review of 57 children with Vitiligo has been published in Journal Watch Dermatology February 15, 2005, which sheds light on the safety and efficacy of tacrolimus ointment in pediatric Vitiligo.

These children 4-16 years in age had all types of Vitiligo (generalized, 58%; segmental, 37%; acrofacial, 5%) and 43 of them had received steroids and phototherapy in the past with unsatisfactory response. All these patients had received Tacrolimus ointment at least for three months and their response was evaluated by physicians. The response rates were better for head and neck than the trunk and extremities (89% Vs. 63%). Eyelids had responded best with near 100% success, and the response rate also varied with season. The response rate was 100% summers and 61% in winter. The spring and autumn were in between with 76% and 81% respectively.

Although the study was retrospective and unblended, it certainly shows that tacrolimus is useful in children with Vitiligo. It may be of note that that the safety of tacrolimus has already been shown in other studies.