Epidemiology of Melanocytic Naevi in Children from Lleida, Catalonia, Spain: Protective Role of Sunscreen in the Development of Acquired Moles

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2016Author
Moreno, Sara
Soria, Xavier
Suggested citation
Moreno, Sara;
Soria, Xavier;
Martínez Alonso, Montserrat;
Martí Laborda, Rosa Ma.;
Casanova i Seuma, Josep M. (Josep Manel);
.
(2016)
.
Epidemiology of Melanocytic Naevi in Children from Lleida, Catalonia, Spain: Protective Role of Sunscreen in the Development of Acquired Moles.
Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 2016, vol. 96, núm. 4.
https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-2277.
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Show full item recordAbstract
The worldwide incidence of malignant melanoma is increasing.
The number of pigmented naevi and amount
of solar exposure are important risk factors. The aim of
this study was to characterize a paediatric population
(from Lleida, Catalonia, Spain) in terms of phenotype,
sun behaviour and naevi prevalence. Data on the numbers
and distributions of acquired naevi in 369 children,
aged 4, 8 and 14 years, were collected and correlated
with age, sex, skin phototype and environmental factors
(annual/lifetime intermittent and chronic sun exposure,
sunburns and sunscreen use). The density of naevi increased
with age. Boys had more naevi on the trunk and
girls had more naevi on the legs. Children with light skin
phototype had more naevi. A higher level of accumulated
sun exposure correlated with a higher number of naevi
in children with non-adequate sunscreen use. In conclusion,
several risk factors associated with naevi density
and distribution were found, as previously reported by
others. Multivariate analysis confirmed a protective role
of sunscreen in the development of acquired melanocytic
naevi.