Researchers published a protocol in BMJ Open to examine pregnancy outcomes in patients with vitiligo, aiming to clarify maternal and neonatal risks. The planned scoping review will assess outcomes such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, gestational diabetes, miscarriage, placental disorders, preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth. By mapping available studies, the project will identify research gaps and determine whether a systematic review or meta-analysis is warranted.
The protocol describes a scoping review that will follow the Arksey and O’Malley framework. Two reviewers will search PubMed and Scopus for studies published between January 2000 and January 2025, limited to English-language reports. Grey literature will be excluded. Screening will be conducted at the title, abstract, and full-text levels, with disagreements resolved by consensus. Study selection will be documented in a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram.
Data extraction will include study design, aims, patient population, sample size, interventions, outcomes, and findings. Results will be synthesized narratively and summarized in tables and figures. No risk-of-bias assessment is planned.
The researchers noted that “pregnancy and childbirth can present significant challenges for [patients with vitiligo] due to the potential exacerbation of the disease and the associated complications for both mother and fetus.” The protocol was led by Behnaz Esmaeili, MD, of the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Khoy University of Medical Sciences.
To enhance clinical relevance, the team intends to consult clinicians, including obstetricians, dermatologists, pediatricians, midwives, and pediatric nurses.
Several limitations were highlighted. Restricting the search to English-language studies may exclude relevant evidence, and excluding grey literature could omit unpublished data. The absence of a risk-of-bias assessment will limit evaluation of study quality.
The researchers described the project as the first attempt to comprehensively map evidence on vitiligo and pregnancy. By identifying available data and research gaps, the review is expected to provide physicians with an overview that may guide future systematic reviews.
The researchers reported no conflicts of interest.
Source: BMJ Open