In brief
Key points
- ✓Multifactorial susceptibility
- ✓No automatic inheritance
- ✓Genes and environment
- ✓No routine predictive test
Susceptibility, not destiny
Many genetic variants linked to immunity and pigmentation contribute small effects. Many affected people have no close relative with vitiligo.
Testing children
Routine predictive genetic testing is not recommended. A new pale patch should instead be assessed clinically.
Editorial basis: current AWMF S2k guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of vitiligo, register 013-093, version 2.0 dated 27 July 2026. Reviewed on 2 September 2026.
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