Hidden victims of childhood vitiligo: impact on parents' mental health and quality of life

This study aims to assess the impact of childhood vitiligo on the psychological status and quality of life of their parents, and to determine how this varies according to their children's disease condition. The study included 50 families of children with vitiligo (a total of 75 participants) and 50 families of normal children (a total of 79 participants). The psychosocial impact of the disease on parents was measured using the Self-rated Health Measurement Scale (SRHMS) and the Dermatitis Family Impact Questionnaire (DFI). SRHMS scores for parents of children with vitiligo were significantly lower than for parents with normal children. In addition, women had lower scores than men in the study group. The mean DFI score in affected families was higher than in unaffected families. Parents of children with vitiligo have significant psychological problems, and their quality of life is poorer than for parents of normal children. In conclusion, parents of children with vitiligo need as much care and attention as their affected children.