Parent has Vitiligo - What about future children?

[omer2009]

Hi,

I am considering getting married to a lady who has had vitiligo. Close to 95% of the disease has been cured already.
However I would like to know - what likelihood is there that our future offspring would be affected by this in any way? I would appreciate a prompt and detailed reply from qualified people, as it is a pressing need for me to get the right answer to this question.

Thank you.

[Rowena Santos, MD]

Hi,

The causes of vitiligo are not yet clear. However, according to researches done, there are a number of different theories, including autoimmune disorder, neurogenic factors, self-destruction of the melanocytes, and genetic factors. Certain factors that may increase the chance of getting vitiligo can be inherited. In fact, about 30% of vitiligo cases run in families. Statistically, 10 to 20 percent of people who have vitiligo fully regain their skin color. This is true for the those who are young, whose vitiligo reaches its peak in less than 6 months and is located mainly on the facial area. This link may be helpful: http://www.dermabest.com/Vitiligo_inheritance.htm

Take care and regards.

[omer2009]

Appreciate the prompt response. Thank you.

[muaaz]

Vitiligo may be hereditary in some cases. Children of vitiligo affected parents are more likely to develop vitiligo disorder. However, most children will not get vitiligo even if a parent has it. Also most people with vitiligo do not have a family history of the disorder.

Large number of inherited disorders are associated with vitiligo.
Vitiligo cases in which inheretance play  role is not more than 20% of all the cases.
http://www.antivitiligo.com/vitiligo/

[vitpatient]

I have vitiligo I was dark skinned and now i have depif to 85% of my body, I have three childre ages 2 to 15 none of them show any signs of vitiligo and are dark skinned darker than i was before vitiligo they are of mixed heritage. I would not let the apperance of a person change the way you feel about them and my last child who is now 2 is my dakest skinned child  more so then the older two and I was 85% when I had him, my husband and I did not even conider the vitiligo as an option not to have our 3rd child.

[lindseyd2400]

If this helps...I have had vitiligo for 25 years. No one in my family has ever had this disorder, including my child. I understand your concern about having future children with this woman but, I would not let this be a decision maker or breaker. I have worried about my own daughter getting the disorder ONLY because it may efffect her emotionally. Having lived my entire life with this I know that the only poproblems I have been faced with are emotional because I look different. If anything, it has made me stronger.

[Maria811]

I have found one other website which is very informative for vitiligo and its treatment, maybe it will help. http://www.curevitiligooil.com