Will my children have Vitiligo?

[Guest Posts]

I've had Vitiligo for around 20 years and sometimes fear that if I have children, they will also develop the condition. Is this likely to be the case?

[The Vitiligo Society]

Whilst developing Vitiligo can be hereditary, this does not necessarily mean your children will develop the condition. Children inherit a number of genes from each parent, passed on in a random fashion. These genes can combine in many different ways and only a particular combination will give children the potential to develop vitiligo. Even if they do inherit all the vitiligo genes, it is not guaranteed they will develop the condition.

Chance, environmental factors and other factors not yet identified can influence whether vitiligo develops.