Evaluation of anthropometric and metabolic biochemical parameters in patients with pediatric vitiligo: a case–control study

Background: The association of metabolic syndrome (MS) with vitiligo is very well known. However, the data on pediatric cases are still lacking. With some anthropometric and biochemical assessments, we can evaluate the risk of metabolic syndrome in these patients. Aims and objective: In this case–control study, we compared anthropometric and biochemical parameters in pediatric vitiligo patients with those of healthy controls to establish the association of underlying metabolic derangements with childhood vitiligo. Materials and Methods: A total of 62 patients and 62 healthy controls, of age groups 2 to 18 years, were enrolled in the study. Anthropometric examination (height, weight, waist circumference [WC], and body mass index [BMI]) and biochemical assessment (fasting blood sugar, lipid profile) were done in both the groups. Result: The mean age of the patients in both groups was 9 years. The average BMI of the cases was higher as compared to controls (22 vs. 17.4 kg/m 2 ; P = 0.0002). Fourteen patients (from among the cases) had a BMI > 95th percentile as per WHO standards. The average WC of cases and controls was similar. The mean total cholesterol of cases was higher than that of controls (121±10.9 vs. 112.5±17.9 mg/dL; P = 0.0009). Conclusion: Childhood vitiligo is associated with underlying metabolic derangements, as indicated by abnormal BMI and total cholesterol in patients in comparison to healthy controls. Abnormal anthropometric and metabolic biochemical parameters can be used to assess the risk of childhood vitiligo and future metabolic syndrome in pediatric patients.