Vitiligo is an acquired, pigmentary disorder characterized by loss of melanocytes. While vitiligo can appear at any time from shortly after birth into adulthood, it frequently begins in childhood. Onset during infancy is rare. Vitiligo in the infant can present as a focal macule or patch, in a segmental distribution appearing in a dermatome, or as vitiligo vulgaris. Vitiligo vulgaris has the findings of symmetrically scattered, slowly enlarging depigmented patches on the face (particularly periorificial distribution), trunk, hands, axillae, groin, upper and lower limbs, and body folds.

The natural course of the disease is slowly progressive and may have long periods of quiescence. Most treatment options should be reserved for after infancy.