Phenylalanine plus Ultraviolet Light: Preliminary Report of a Promising Treatment for Childhood Vitiligo

Abstract

L-Phenylalanine is a promising agent for the treatment of vitiligo when taken orally and followed with ultraviolet light (UVA) irradiation. Of 13 children so treated, 3 experienced repigmentation of all vitiliginous areas, 6 showed 50% to 90% improvement, and 4 failed to respond. None of the children experienced side effects during the treatment.