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Does Vitiligo Pass Down From Generation To Generation?

Posted on Thu, 7 Jul 2016

Question: My Question is about about Leucoderma ( a skin disorder - white patches on skin) to a Dermitologist. I am 30 years old man. Can this decease get transferred to me from from my Mama (my mother's brother) ,if my mother does not have it ? If I get married to a girl who does not have it , do our children have chances to get it ? If there are chances, pl. advise how do I prevent it ?

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Vitiligo is a polygenic skin disease

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to HCM..

I can understand your concern for vitiligo,as your maternal uncle has vitiligo.

Vitiligo is a multifactorial and polygenic autoimmune skin disease of unknown etiology.

As your maternal uncle has vitiligo, the genes related to vitiligo are likely to pass to you through your mom. So, you and your mom may develop vitiligo.

If there is a family history of vitiligo in case of your wife...the chances of vitiligo occurance in children might increase. Chances of vitiligo development in your children are there even if your wife has no family history of vitiligo.

Kindly avoid conseguinous marraige..means marraige with blood related girl...which might decrease the chances of vitiligo occurance in your children.

Environmental factors are also responsible along with genetic factors for vitiligo development.

So,factors like stress,trauma,friction,burn..etc may be kept in mind,which might precipitate vitiligo in your children...so,take care.

I hope this might be helpful to you.

Thanks.

Dr. Ilyas Patel MD

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar