Hypomelanosis of Ito Overview
Learn About Hypomelanosis of Ito
Hypomelanosis of Ito (HMI) is a very rare birth defect that causes unusual patches of light-colored (hypopigmented) skin and may be associated with eye, nervous system, and skeletal problems.
Incontinentia pigmenti achromians; HMI; Ito hypomelanosis
Health care providers do not know the exact cause of HMI, but they believe it may involve a genetic condition called mosaicism. It is twice as common in girls as in boys.
Skin symptoms are most often visible by the time a child is about 2 years old.
Other symptoms develop as the child grows, and may include:
- Crossed eyes (strabismus)
- Hearing problems
- Increased body hair (hirsutism)
- Scoliosis
- Seizures
- Streaked, whorled or mottled patches of skin on the arms, legs, and middle of the body
- Intellectual disability, including autism spectrum disorder and learning disability
- Mouth or tooth problems
There is no treatment for the skin patches. Cosmetics or clothing may be used to cover the patches. Seizures, scoliosis, and other problems are treated as needed.
Pierre Vabres practices in Dijon, France. Vabres and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Hypomelanosis of Ito. His top areas of expertise are Aplasia Cutis Congenita, Clouston Syndrome, Ectodermal Dysplasias, and Hypomelanosis of Ito.
Laurence Faivre practices in Dijon, France. Faivre and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Hypomelanosis of Ito. His top areas of expertise are Cohen Syndrome, Achalasia Microcephaly Syndrome, Microcephaly, and Hypotonia.
Paul Kuentz practices in Besancon, France. Kuentz and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Hypomelanosis of Ito. His top areas of expertise are Hypomelanosis of Ito, Increased Head Circumference, Mosaicism, and Cortical Dysplasia.
The outlook depends on the type and severity of symptoms that develop. In most cases, skin color eventually turns to normal.
Problems that may result from HMI include:
- Discomfort and walking problems due to scoliosis
- Emotional distress, related to the physical appearance
- Intellectual disability
- Injury from seizures
Contact your provider if your child has an unusual pattern of the color of the skin. However, any unusual patterns are likely to have another cause than HMI.
Published Date: May 31, 2023
Published By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Joyce JC. Hypopigmented lesions. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 672.
Patterson JW. Disorders of pigmentation. In: Patterson JW, ed. Weedon's Skin Pathology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 11.