[Cuprum sulfate and vitix in the treatment of vitiligo in children].

Incidence rate of vitiligo among children, its adverse effect on psycho-emotional state of children, uncertainty in the etiology and pathogenesis and relative ineffectiveness of existing treatment approaches stimulates attempts to elaborate new methods of management of this disease. It is well known, that melanin is formed from tyrosine by enzyme tyrosinase. Cuprum is a cofactor of this photochemical process. In a number of experiments it was shown that keratinocytes derived from vitiligo lesions produce increased number of superoxide anions (hyperactive oxygen and nitric oxide). In patients with generalized vitiligo misbalance of oxidant and antioxidant systems are observed. Taking into account above-mentioned the aim of this study was the analysis of effectiveness of complex treatment with cuprum sulfate and Vitix in infants with vitiligo. Under medical supervision there were 27 children 7-17 years old with vitiligo (15 boys and 12 girls). Duration of illness varied from 1 month to 11 years, area of lesion - from 1 to 40%. Foci of vitiligo had different shapes and dimensions of depigmentation. Preparation Vitix was applied directly to the lesions and surrounded affected area. Duration of the treatment was 6 months. Restoration of pigmentation was observed by the following patterns: diffuse in 9, follicular in 5 and peripheral in 3 cases. Improvement of clinical condition was observed in 56% of patients. Erythema with mild itching and erythema with peeling were observed as the side effects. Due to the ability to re-establish the free radicals physiological equilibrium in epidermal cells (melanocytes and keratinocytes) vitix shows principally new impact on skin with depigmentation. The effect of this preparation is based on melon's extract rich in antioxidants (catalases and superoxide dismutase).