 |
|
The Prevalence of Common Acquired Melanocytic Nevi and the Relationship With Skin Type Characteristics and Sun Exposure Among Children in Lithuania
Skaidra Valiukeviciene, MD;
Irena Miseviciene, MD;
Harald Gollnick, MD
Arch Dermatol. 2005;141:579-586.
ABSTRACT
| |
Objective To evaluate the prevalence of common acquired melanocytic nevi and its relationship with pigmentary characteristics and severe sunburns in children.
Design Cross-sectional study.
Setting Kaunas city, Lithuania (latitude of 55° 55 minutes).
Patients A random sample of 484 children aged 1 to 2 years, 4 to 5 years, and 9 to 10 years and adolescents aged 14 to 15 years.
Interventions A questionnaire that provided information about the history of sunbathing and skin type.
Main Outcome Measures Atypical melanocytic nevi were defined according to the clinical criteria of the ABCDE rule.
Results The median number of all common acquired melanocytic nevi was 12 in boys and 11 in girls; the median number of melanocytic nevi 2 mm or larger in boys and girls was 4. Twenty-seven percent of children experienced severe sunburns more than once. After adjustment for age and sex, it was found that children who had severe sunburns in summer and skin type I had a higher density of all melanocytic nevi and melanocytic nevi 2 mm or larger. The prevalence of atypical melanocytic nevi was 7% in all children and was age dependent (age 4-5 years, 1%; 9-10 years, 4%; 14-15 years, 16%). Three percent of children had congenital melanocytic nevi.
Conclusions The total number of common acquired melanocytic nevi in children increased with age. There was a positive association between severe sunburns, the tendency of the skin to burn, and the number of all melanocytic nevi and nevi 2 mm or larger.
INTRODUCTION
Malignant melanoma of the skin is a steadily increasing and important problem in public health as incidence rates have been increasing continuously in the white populations worldwide.1 The number of common acquired melanocytic nevi (MN) and the presence of atypical MN (AMN) are established risk factors for the development of malignant melanoma in white populations. There is a consistent rise in the risk of malignant melanoma with increasing number of MN in studies that have assessed this relationship.2-4
Most children are born without any visible pigmented skin lesions, and less than 2% of children have congenital MN.5 The number of common acquired MN increases with children’s age. Most adolescents have nearly the same number of MN6-8 but a greater number of AMN compared with children in other age groups (up to age 15 years).9
Melanocytic nevi and malignant melanoma share several common risk factors. The number of MN in white children6, 8, 10 and the risk of the development of malignant melanoma in adults2, 4, 11 are increased by pigmentary characteristics such as fair skin, skin type I and II, the presence of freckles, and fair hair and eyes, as well as the frequency of severe sunburns, the latitude of place of residence (closer to equator), the number of days spent in intensive natural and artificial sunlight, and holidays spent in hot climate regions. Genetic factors also influence the prevalence of nevi, with higher numbers of MN in malignant melanoma–prone families.12
To our knowledge, those relationships have not been investigated in detail in the published studies to date. Interestingly, some authors13 did not find any relevant relationship between the prevalence of MN and skin color (fair, medium, and dark). English and Armstrong7 have noticed that Australian children with red hair, fair skin color, a tendency to freckle, and a propensity to burn (skin type I) have less MN compared with children with dark hair, dark skin color, no tendency to freckle, and no propensity to burn.
Most prevalence studies on MN have been conducted in zones of sunny climate. Only a very few were performed in Eastern Europe. To our knowledge, until our study there have been no prevalence estimates of MN available in Lithuania as an example for the Baltic states, where the incidence of malignant melanoma is steadily increasing14 and where insufficient attention is paid to skin cancer prevention. The aim of our study, therefore, was to evaluate the prevalence of MN and its relationship with pigmentary characteristics and sun exposure in children.
METHODS
SUBJECTS
This cross-sectional study was conducted on a random sample of 484 children (258 boys and 226 girls; ie, 50 children aged 1-2 years, 139 children aged 4-5 years, 141 children aged 9-10 years, and 154 adolescents aged 14-15 years). Children were selected from 10 kindergartens and 4 secondary schools in 1 Lithuanian city (Kaunas, latitude of 55° 55 minutes).
Initially, we selected 30 kindergartens and 24 higher grade schools of the city. For the study, we randomly selected 1 public school and 2 kindergartens from 4 different regions of Kaunas city. During the survey, it was necessary to add 2 kindergartens with groups of children aged 1 to 2 years. Within schools and kindergartens, children were recruited in whole classes and groups. When there were more classes of a particular grade, classes were chosen randomly.
After permission was obtained from state educational departments to approach school and kindergarten principals, meetings were held with principals, other teachers, and representatives of parents or parent groups at each school and kindergarten to explain the aims of the study. All schools and kindergartens that were approached agreed to participate. Children were first recruited by means of a letter to parents with a consent form. The study purposes were explained to the children and/or parents who were informed that the participation was voluntary. Positive response rates varied considerably among the age groups, with 99% of parents of children aged 1 to 2 years responding, compared with lower rates from parents of children aged 4 to 5 years and 9 to 10 years and adolescents aged 14 to 15 years (95%, 93%, and 80%, respectively).
EXAMINATION
One experienced dermatologist (S.V.) conducted the examination of the skin and nevi. A standard protocol15 was defined for the counting and identification of MN. Melanocytic nevi were defined as brown to black pigmented macules or papules of any size, darker in the color than the surrounding skin, excluding lesions with the clinical characteristics of freckles, solar lentigines, or café au lait spots. No attempt was made to differentiate lentigo simplex from junctional MN. Skin-colored palpable lesions with the morphological features of compound or dermal MN, halo nevi, nevi spili, congenital nevi, and blue nevi were numbered separately but were included in the total number of MN. The number of café au lait spots and the severity and distribution of freckling and solar lentigines were recorded separately.
Height and weight were measured to estimate body surface area (BSA) of the children and thereby allow the calculation of the density of MN.16 The body surface was divided into 26 subsites, excluding buttocks and genitalia in 9- to 10-year-old children and breast in 14- to 15-year-old adolescent girls. A metric mole analyzer with circles ranging from 1 to 12 mm was used to measure MN of any size, nevi of 2 mm or larger in diameter, and palpable MN separately from the flat lesions. Melanocytic nevi were measured without stretching the skin, and the size was assessed if the greatest dimension of the lesion touched both sides of the circles. The location of MN was marked on anatomic charts as proposed by Gallagher et al.17
A separate note was made of any large ( 5 mm in diameter) AMN. Atypical MN was defined according to the clinical criteria of the ABCDE rule (asymmetry, border irregularity, mixed color, diameter 5 mm, and erythema at the margins or elevation of the lesions). The diagnosis of an AMN was established if at least 3 of the 5 clinical criteria were fulfilled. Epiluminescent microscopy was used to further differentiate AMN from other pigmented lesions.
We assessed the diagnostic validity of AMN counting of one of the authors (S.V.) in a substudy of German patients at the University Hospital in Magdeburg, Germany. The clinical judgment regarding AMN differed by less than 5% from the judgment of an experienced dermatologist (H.G.) in Magdeburg.
Hair, skin, and eye color were recorded for each child. Skin color was estimated using a 12–skin tone panel for the left buttock. Freckles and solar lentigines (categorized as scores 0, 10, 20, and 30) were numbered on the face, arms, and shoulders. Later on, the presence of these lesions was analyzed together to avoid misclassification.
STANDARDIZED INTERVIEWS
Before the physical examination of the children, standardized interviews were performed with at least one of the parents of children aged 1 to 9 years (most frequently with mothers) and adolescents aged 14 to 15 years. Questions were asked regarding the residential history of the child, the family history of malignant melanoma, sunbathing and sun protection in the summer, sensitivity to sunlight, and the incidence (in numbers) of severe sunburns since birth. The knowledge about risk factors of malignant melanoma (parents of the children and adolescents) was asked as well. Skin types (I-IV) were assessed according to the Fitzpatrick scale.
STATISTICAL EVALUATION
The more detailed multivariate analysis was performed among 4- to 15-year-old children and adolescents (n = 378). Children aged 1 to 2 years (n = 50) and children with missing values of provided questionnaire data were excluded (n = 56).
The number of MN on the whole body (all sizes and MN 2 mm) was expressed both as totals and as number per unit of BSA. For total body density of MN, adjustment was made to account for the buttocks, genitalia, and breast, reducing the BSA on average by 8% in children older than 9 years and by 12% in adolescent girls aged 14 to 15 years.
Because the total number of MN and densities were positively skewed, median values and interquartile range (IQR) are given. To eliminate the asymmetry of the MN distribution, we applied a logarithmic transformation of the MN number. Geometric mean and its 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, assuming that the number of nevi per BSA was log- normally distributed. The geometric mean in most cases closely approximated the median number.
Age and sex differences of MN number were assessed with nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney median comparison tests. For the comparison of the variables divided into 2 groups, the asymptotic arch sinus test or precise probability comparison test was used. A correlation matrix of bivariate relationships between the variables stated herein and the total number of MN was constructed using linear regressions, nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney median comparison tests, and  2 statistics.18
We assessed the independent effects of possible risk factors on the log of the number of MN per unit BSA by multiple regression models using the computer software GLM.18 We used the log of the MN per unit of BSA as the dependent variable.
The independent categorical variables were declared as generalized linear model factors. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 10 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, Ill) software.18 Throughout the statistical analysis, P<.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
THE NUMBER OF COMMON ACQUIRED MN
Of the 484 children, 92% (95% CI, 87%-97%) had MN, flat or raised. The MN smaller than 2 mm comprised two thirds of all countable lesions in children. Most (72%) of these MN were flat lesions. Melanocytic nevi 2 mm or larger, flat or raised, were found in 86% (95% CI, 83%-89%) of the screened children.
The total number of MN ranged from 0 to 100 and that of MN 2 mm or larger from 0 to 53. Most children aged 1 to 2 years did not have any MN (all sizes and MN 2 mm, median = 0 [IQR, 0-1]). In 434 children and adolescents aged 4 to 15 years, the median of the number of MN of all sizes in boys was 15 (IQR, 5-28) and in girls, 13 (IQR, 6-22); the median of the number of MN 2 mm or larger in both boys and girls was 4 (boys: IQR, 2-9; girls: IQR, 2-8).
The total number of MN (all sizes and 2 mm) increased progressively with age among both boys and girls (P<.001) (Figure 1), and the increase was not explained by increasing body size because there was a similar increase in the number of nevi per square meter of BSA examined with age (P<.001) (Figure 2).
|
|
|
|
Figure 1. Median number of common acquired melanocytic nevi (MN) among children in Kaunas city, Lithuania, 2000.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Figure 2. Median number of common acquired melanocytic nevi (MN) per square meter of body surface area (density of MN) among children in Kaunas city, Lithuania, 2000.
|
|
|
Number of MN per unit of BSA (density of MN) was higher in 1- to 2-year-old girls than in boys (2 [girls] vs 0 [boys]; P<.01). Boys aged 9 to 10 years showed both a higher number and density of MN of all sizes compared with girls (P<.05). Also, adolescent boys aged 14 to 15 years had higher number and density of MN (all sizes and 2 mm) compared with the girls (Figure 1 and Figure 2).
THE PREVALENCE OF ATYPICAL AND CONGENITAL MN
One or more AMN were found in 33 (7% [95% CI, 5%-9%]) of 484 children. Atypical MN were detected more frequently in adolescents aged 14 to 15 years than in children aged 9 to 10 years and 4 to 5 years (16% [95% CI, 11%-22%]; 4% [95% CI, 2%-8%]; and 1% [95% CI, 1%-4%], respectively). There were no significant differences between the sexes for the prevalence of AMN (Figure 3). Children aged 1 to 2 years and girls aged 4 to 5 years had no AMN.
|
|
|
|
Figure 3. The prevalence (%) of clinically atypical melanocytic nevi (MN) among children and adolescents aged 1 to 15 years in Kaunas city, Lithuania, 2000. Error bars signify confidence intervals.
|
|
|
Most (77%) of the 49 diagnosed AMN in all children were found on the trunk; half of them were found on the back, including the shoulders and buttocks. The remaining AMN were detected on the scalp (8%) and the upper limbs (10%), and 6% (in equal proportions) were found on the lower extremities, neck, and face. Three percent of children had congenital MN.
PIGMENTARY CHARACTERISTICS
A collection of more than 20 variables of the density of MN was assembled after exploratory analyses of the questionnaire and examination data. The density of MN (all sizes and 2 mm) showed no association with skin color of the sun-protected site of buttocks, family history of melanomas (found in 5 subjects), frequency of visits to the beaches, use of sunscreens, and the level of knowledge of risk factors of melanoma reported by adolescents aged 14 to 15 years and mothers of younger children.
Table 1 gives the number of MN of all sizes by the child’s sex and other important predictors of the prevalence of MN. Crude rate ratios were calculated for predicted mean of the number of MN per BSA in specified categories to predicted mean in baseline category. Adjusted rate ratios were calculated from the linear regression program used to evaluate the effect of age on MN number, controlling for the effects of other factors listed in Table 1.
|
|
|
|
Table 1. Median and Geometric Mean of the Number of Common Acquired MN (All Sizes) by Sex, Pigmentary Characteristics, and Severe Sunburns Among 378 Children in Kaunas City, Lithuania*
|
|
|
After the adjustment for the differences of age and other factors, the number of MN of all sizes in boys was not significantly higher than that in girls (Table 1). The children whose skin tends to burn (skin type I) had a 50% higher MN rate ratio compared with those who tend to burn less easily (skin types II-III). Children with red hair had less MN of all sizes compared with those with light and dark hair. The number of MN of all sizes was not related to skin and eye color. The presence of freckles or solar lentigines on the face, arms, or shoulders was significantly associated with a higher number of MN of all sizes. Children with 1 or more AMN had 2 times higher crude rate ratios of MN of all sizes (Table 1).
SUN EXPOSURE
Most (77%) of the 484 children suntanned on beaches regularly each year. Half (50%) of the children most frequently visited beaches at noon. About one third (27%) of the children experienced a severe sunburn resulting in soreness and reddened skin more than once. Of the subjects, 28% used sunscreens. Of these, 78% used sunscreens sometimes on sunny summer days and 22% on sunny days all year long; 19% of children used sunscreens appropriately (half an hour before the expected sun exposure and repeatedly every 2 hours as well as after bathing). Children who had severe sunburns (with redness, peeling, and/or blistering) once or several times had significantly higher crude and adjusted ratios of MN of all sizes compared with those who did not experience severe sun exposure (Table 1). The frequency of being outdoors and sunbathing in beaches, the duration of summer holiday in beaches, and the use of sunscreens and wearing shirts were nonsignificantly associated with the number of MN of all sizes (data not shown).
The similar analysis of the number of MN 2 mm or larger on the body adjusted for age, sex, and other factors showed that this number was higher in boys compared with girls and in blue-eyed subjects compared with brown-eyed subjects (Table 2). The children whose skin tends to burn (skin type I) had a significantly (2 times) higher number of MN 2 mm or larger compared with those who tan without burning (skin type IV) (Table 2). Subjects with AMN and severe sunburns had significantly more MN 2 mm or larger compared with the referential variable groups (Table 2). The presence of freckles and solar lentigines and skin color were nonsignificantly associated with the number of MN 2 mm or larger (Table 2).
|
|
|
|
Table 2. Median and Geometric Mean Number of Common Acquired MN 2 mm or Larger by Sex, Pigmentary Characteristics, and Severe Sunburns Among 378 Children in Kaunas City, Lithuania*
|
|
|
COMMENT
The evaluation of the prevalence of MN and its potential risk factors for malignant melanoma is difficult because this means lifelong longitudinal studies. The number of MN changes during a person’s life and is dependent on the total sum of various internal and external factors (ie, genetics,19 hormonal, constitutional, and pigmentary characteristics and sun exposure, and geographic latitude). The varying prevalence estimates of MN among children depend not only on these factors but also on the qualification of the investigator, the definition of MN, and on the methods of MN counting. As a rule, experienced clinicians7, 10 count more nevi compared with students.20 It is plausible that the observation errors in this study are small because the study was performed by only 1 experienced examiner-dermatologist, randomly controlled by 1 "supervisor" dermatologist.
The size of MN in this study was determined using standardized methods of measurement, and the inspection of the body was performed in spring and autumn, when freckling and skin pigmentation is not yet increased because of sun exposure. Although there are recommendations15 on how MN should be evaluated, controversies exist regarding the size of MN that should be counted. Most researchers exclude small (<2 mm) nevi and small dark brown pigmented freckles called lentigo simplex6, 8, 10, 21-23 to avoid measurement errors. Until now, the issue of the size of nevi has not been resolved in the literature. We included small (<2 mm) nevi into the general number of nevi.
Because the children were selected randomly and the response proportions were high, it is likely that our results represent unbiased population-based prevalence estimates of MN among all Lithuanian children if one assumes that children from Kaunas city are a representative sample of all children in Lithuania. To make the findings of the study comparable with those of other studies, separate evaluation of the prevalence of MN 2 mm or larger was performed.
The comparison of numbers of MN of all sizes and MN 2 mm or larger in our study provides another advantage. We were able to study how much our results depended on the arbitrary cutoff for counting MN.
The number of MN on the body among white children depends on the geographical place and sunshine intensity. In England (Midlands) and in Lithuania (Kaunas), 1685 and 1751 sunny hours per year, respectively, can be measured.24-25 In Queensland (Australia), the incidence of malignant melanoma is the highest, and the number of sunny hours per year reaches 2928 hours.26 In England, for children of a similar age and from the same regions, 2 MN 2 mm or larger were found27; in Lithuania, 4 MN 2 mm or larger were found (present study); and among Australian children in Townville, 77 MN of the same size were found.10
In our study, the number of MN progressively increased by age. The number of MN in adolescents aged 14 to 15 years were several times higher than the number in children aged 4 to 10 years. Data from other researchers confirm that the number of MN is higher among adolescents aged 14 to 18 years compared with children aged 6 to 12 years.10, 17 However, others7 determined that the period of adolescence is not relevant for the density of MN, and the number of nevi per unit of BSA increases only up to age 9 years. According to the results of another study, a repeated examination of adolescents after 5 years showed a decrease in the density of MN due to the relative increase in BSA.28
In the present study, the calculations of the density of MN showed that the number of MN increases with age even after adjusting for BSA. Consequently, adolescents have the highest number and density of MN compared with children in other age groups. A longitudinal study in adolescents29 also found that increasing age was the most important factor in the development of nevi.
Most researchers7, 13, 21, 30-32 have found a higher number and density of MN in boys compared with girls, and we found the same tendency in our study. Boys aged 9 to 10 years had more MN of all sizes compared with girls, while male adolescents aged 14 to 15 years had more MN, both of all sizes and MN 2 mm of larger. After adjustment for several potential confounders, male sex remained an independent, although weak, factor associated with the number of MN.
Although limited published data exist on the prevalence of AMN among children, it is emphasized that adolescence is a critical period for their development.9 Among adults, AMN were found in 2% to 18% of cases, most frequently in people aged 20 to 30 years.33-34 In Australia, where the prevalence of malignant melanoma is the highest, AMN were found in 4% to 21% of cases among children and adolescents aged 6 to 15 years.9 Only a limited number of studies present statistical data on the prevalence of AMN evaluated according to both clinical (18%) and histological (8%) changes and only among adults.34
In our study, similar to other studies,9, 33 the prevalence of AMN increased with age. It was determined that 7% of the studied children had clinical AMN; AMN were found twice as frequently (16%) in adolescents aged 14 to 15 years compared with children in other age groups.
After adjusting for age, sex, and other variables, we found that children who experienced severe sunburns in summer (skin type I) had nearly twice as high density of MN of all sizes and MN 2 mm or larger compared with those who did not. A similar strong positive relationship between skin type I or II and the prevalence of MN was also found in other studies.8-10,21, 35
Some studies showed that the prevalence of MN among white children decreased with the increase in skin pigmentation,8, 10, 30-31 although other studies did not confirm this relationship either.13, 22-23 Our study did not show any relationship between the skin type (light, medium, or dark) and the number of MN. These conflicting results could have been caused by a subjective evaluation of the skin color. The color of the skin may change from season to season or be dependent on the illumination of the room, and therefore in further studies it is necessary to apply objective methods by consensus (eg, a spectrometer), as was done by Harrison et al.36 Most studies, however, have found a positive association between freckling,8, 10, 13, 21, 35 light hair color,10, 30-31 and the number of MN among children.
To reduce misclassifications in our study, we separately documented the presence of both freckles and solar lentigines on the face, shoulders, or arms. After adjustment for constitutional and other variables, we found that the presence of freckles and solar lentigines on the face, shoulders, or arms is related to a higher total number of MN but not to MN 2 mm or larger. Another interesting finding was that red-haired children had less MN compared with the dark-haired children when we counted all nevi. This could be related to the fact that most red-haired children are highly sensitive to the sun but experience sunburns less frequently, probably because they are kept away from the sun, which contributes to a less dramatic development of new MN.
We found that severe sunburns experienced once or several times were associated with a higher number of MN (all sizes and MN 2 mm). Other groups also found more nevi in children who experienced severe sunburns once or several times during their last summer vacations,8 during the last 5 years before examination,17 or at any time in their lives.30 In more recent studies, the most important environmental risk factors for the development of MN were holidays in sunny areas,37-38 outdoor activities during the summer,38 and routine time exposed to the sun during the middle of the day.29 Some studies showed that mild to moderate sun exposure also contributes to the development of MN.38 This finding is at least partly in contrast to our study and several cross-sectional studies with children8, 10, 17, 36 and case-control studies with adults,2, 39-40 with the defined hypothesis that severe sunburns are required for the development of MN.
In our study, children very rarely used sunscreens compared with children in other countries.41-42 The results of our study and recent cross-sectional studies of MN development in European children22-23 suggest that sunscreen is not effective in preventing the development of new MN. One possible explanation of this is that the use of sunscreens with high sun protection factors promotes behavior associated with extended duration of sun exposure. This finding is in agreement with the study by Luther et al,8 who found an increase in new MN among children using sunscreen regularly. In contrast, the findings by Gallagher et al35 show that broad spectrum sunscreens may attenuate the development of nevi in children, especially if they have freckles.
Some limited data from Harrison et al43 demonstrate the presence of nevi within the first year after birth in a cohort of Australian children. The use of sun-protective clothes, finding more opportunities for children to stay in the shade, and protecting them from exposure to the sun during the day times of most intense UV exposure should most likely play a more important role in the prevention of MN.
The present study demonstrates that the total number of common acquired MN increases with age in children. Atypical MN were more frequently detected in 14- to 15-year-old adolescents compared with children in other age groups. There was a positive association between severe sunburns, the tendency of the children’s skin to burn rather than tan (skin type I), and the number of common acquired MN, irrespective of the size of the MN. These findings showed that the principle of avoiding heavy sun exposure is also valid for the northern latitude of Lithuania. The results of the study should have a direct impact on the concept of the governmental preventive strategies in the Baltic States in the near future.
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Correspondence: Skaidra Valiukeviciene, MD, Kaunas University of Medicine, Clinic of Skin and Venereal Diseases, Eiveniu 2, LT–50009, Kaunas, Lithuania (svaliuke{at}hotmail.com).
Accepted for Publication: October 6, 2004.
Funding/Support: This study was supported by Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania, and Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
Previous Presentation: The data from this article were presented in a poster report at the International Epidemiological Association European Regional Meeting; August 24-26, 2000; Kaunas, Lithuania.
Acknowledgment: We thank Andreas Stang, MD, MPH (Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biometry, and Informatics, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany), for his participation in the data analysis, interpretation of the results, and writing the manuscript.
Financial Disclosure: None.
Author Affiliations: Clinic of Skin and Venereal Diseases (Dr Valiukeviciene) and Institute for Biomedical Research (Dr Miseviciene), Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania; and Clinic of Dermatology and Venereology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany (Dr Gollnick).
REFERENCES
| |
1. Brochez L, Naeyaert JM. Understanding the trends in melanoma incidence and mortality: where do we stand? Eur J Dermatol. 2000;10:71-75.
ISI
| PUBMED
2. Garbe C, Buttner P, Weiss J, et al. Risk factors for developing cutaneous melanoma and criteria for identifying persons at risk: multicenter case control study of the Central Malignant Melanoma Registry of the German Dermatological Society. J Invest Dermatol. 1994;102:695-699.
FULL TEXT
|
ISI
| PUBMED
3. Carli P, Biggeri A, Giannotti B. Malignant melanoma in Italy: risks associated with common and clinically atypical melanocytic nevi. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1995;32:734-739.
FULL TEXT
|
ISI
| PUBMED
4. Naldi L, Lorenzo Imberti GL, Parazzini F, Gallus S, La Vecchia C. Pigmentary traits, modalities of sun reaction, history of sunburns, and melanocytic nevi as risk factors for cutaneous malignant melanoma in the Italian population: results of a collaborative case-control study. Cancer. 2000;88:2703-2710.
FULL TEXT
|
ISI
| PUBMED
5. Lawrence CM. Treatment options for giant congenital naevi. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2000;25:7-11.
FULL TEXT
|
ISI
| PUBMED
6. Gallagher RP, McLean DI, Yang CP, et al. Anatomic distribution of acquired melanocytic nevi in white children: a comparison with melanoma: the Vancouver Mole Study. Arch Dermatol. 1990;126:466-471.
FREE FULL TEXT
7. English DR, Armstrong BK. Melanocytic nevi in children, I: anatomic sites and demographic and host factors. Am J Epidemiol. 1994;139:390-401.
FREE FULL TEXT
8. Luther H, Altmeyer P, Garbe C, et al. Increase of melanocytic nevus counts in children during 5 years of follow-up and analysis of associated factors. Arch Dermatol. 1996;132:1473-1478.
FREE FULL TEXT
9. Rivers JK, MacLennan R, Kelly JW, et al. The eastern Australian childhood nevus study: prevalence of atypical nevi, congenital nevus-like nevi, and other pigmented lesions. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1995;32:957-963.
FULL TEXT
|
ISI
| PUBMED
10. Kelly JW, Rivers JK, MacLennan R, Harrison S, Lewis AE, Tate BJ. Sunlight: a major factor associated with the development of melanocytic nevi in Australian schoolchildren. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1994;30:40-48.
ISI
| PUBMED
11. Breitbart M, Garbe C, Buttner P, et al. Ultraviolet light exposure, pigmentary traits and the development of melanocytic naevi and cutaneous melanoma: a case-control study of the German Central Malignant Melanoma Registry. Acta Derm Venereol. 1997;77:374-378.
ISI
| PUBMED
12. Novakovic B, Clark WH, Fears TR, Fraser MC, Tucker MA. Melanocytic nevi, dysplastic nevi, and malignant melanoma in children from melanoma-prone families. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1995;33:631-636.
FULL TEXT
|
ISI
| PUBMED
13. Graham A, Fuller A, Murphy M, Jones M, Forman D, Swerdlow AJ. Maternal and child constitutional factors and the frequency of melanocytic naevi in children. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 1999;13:316-324.
FULL TEXT
|
ISI
| PUBMED
14. Kurtinaitis J, Winkelmann R. Cancer incidence in Lithuania, 1988-92. IACR Newsletter. 1999;29:5-8.
15. English DR, ed, MacLennan R, ed, Rivers J, ed, Kelly J, ed, Armstrong BK, ed. Epidemiological Studies of Melanocytic Naevi: Protocol for Identifying and Recording Nevi. Lyon, France: IARC; 1990. Internal Report 90/002.
16. Mosteller RD. Simplified calculation of body surface area [letter]. N Engl J Med. 1987;317:1098.
ISI
| PUBMED
17. Gallagher RP, McLean DI, Yang CP, et al. Suntan, sunburn, and pigmentation factors and the frequency of acquired melanocytic nevi in children: similarities to melanoma: the Vancouver Mole Study. Arch Dermatol. 1990;126:770-776.
FREE FULL TEXT
18. Buehl A, Zoefel P. Analysis of variance. In: Beuhl A, ed. SPSS Version 10: Introduction to Modern Data Analysis. Munich, Germany: Addison Wesley–Verlag; 2000:401-418.
19. Bataille V, Snieder H, MacGregor AJ, Sasieni P, Spector TD. Genetics of risk factors for melanoma: an adult twin study of nevi and freckles. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2000;92:457-463.
FREE FULL TEXT
20. Green A, Swerdlow AJ. Epidemiology of melanocytic nevi. Epidemiol Rev. 1989;11:204-221.
FREE FULL TEXT
21. Coombs BD, Sharples KJ, Cooke KR, Skegg DC, Elwood JM. Variation and covariates of the number of benign nevi in adolescents. Am J Epidemiol. 1992;136:344-355.
FREE FULL TEXT
22. Autier P, Dore JF. Influence of sun exposures during childhood and during adulthood on melanoma risk: EPIMEL and EORTC Melanoma Cooperative Group. Int J Cancer. 1998;77:533-537.
FULL TEXT
|
ISI
| PUBMED
23. Autier P, Dore JF, Cattaruzza MS, et al, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Melanoma Cooperative Group. Sunscreen use, wearing clothes, and number of nevi in 6- to 7-year-old European children. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1998;90:1873-1880.
FREE FULL TEXT
24. 2003 Seasonal/annual summary: the regional averages. Met Office Web site. Available at: http://www.metoffice.com/climate/uk/2003/annual/averages1.html. Accessed August 16, 2004.
25. Sunny hours in Kaunas (Lithuania) per year. Available at: http://msi.lms.lt/publish/straipsn/pop_saule1.html. Accessed August 16, 2004.
26. Commonwealth of Australia 2000, Townsville. Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology Web site. Available at: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/climatology/sunshine_hours/map_gifs/annual.shtml. Accessed August 16, 2004.
27. Sorahan T, Ball PM, Grimley RP, Pope D. Benign pigmented nevi in children from Kidderminster, England: prevalence and associated factors. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1990;22:747-750.
ISI
| PUBMED
28. Walter SD, Ashbolt R, Dwyer T, Marrett LD. Do larger people have more nevi? nevus frequency versus nevus density. Int J Epidemiol. 2000;29:1025-1030.
FREE FULL TEXT
29. Darlington S, Siskin V, Green L, Green A. Longitudinal study of melanocytic nevi in adolescents. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002;46:715-722.
FULL TEXT
|
ISI
| PUBMED
30. Green A, Siskind V, Hansen ME, Hanson L, Leech P. Melanocytic nevi in schoolchildren in Queensland. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1989;20:1054-1060.
ISI
| PUBMED
31. Pope D, Sorahan TS, Marsden JR, Ball PM, Grimley RP, Peck IM. Benign pigmented nevi in children: prevalence and associated factors: the West Midlands, United Kingdom Mole Study. Arch Dermatol. 1992;128:1201-1206.
FREE FULL TEXT
32. Sigg C, Pelloni F. Frequency of acquired melanonevocytic nevi an their relationship to skin complexion in 939 schoolchildren. Dermatologica. 1989;179:123-128.
ISI
| PUBMED
33. Augustsson A, Stierner U, Rosdahl I, Suurkula M. Common and dysplastic neavi as risk factors for cutaneous malignant melanoma in a Swedish population. Acta Derm Venereol. 1991;71:518-524.
ISI
| PUBMED
34. Sander C, Tschochohei H, Hagedorn M. Epidemiology of dysplastic nevus. Hautarzt. 1989;40:758-760.
ISI
| PUBMED
35. Gallagher RP, Rivers JK, Lee TK, Bajdik CD, McLean DI, Coldman AJ. Broad-spectrum sunscreen use and the development of new nevi in with children: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2000;283:2955-2960.
FREE FULL TEXT
36. Harrison SL, Buettner PG, MacLennan R. Body-site distribution of melanocytic nevi in young Australian children. Arch Dermatol. 1999;135:47-52.
FREE FULL TEXT
37. Dulon M, Weichentahl M, Blettner M, et al. Sun exposure and number of nevi in 5- to 6-year-old European children. J Clin Epidemiol. 2002;55:1075-1081.
FULL TEXT
|
ISI
| PUBMED
38. Wiecker TS, Luther H, Buettner P, Bauer J, Garbe C. Moderate sun exposure and nevus number in parents are associated with development of melanocytic nevi in childhood: a risk factor study in 1,812 kindergarten children. Cancer. 2003;97:628-638.
FULL TEXT
|
ISI
| PUBMED
39. Holman CD, Armstrong BK, Heenan PJ. Relationship of cutaneous malignant melanoma to individual sunlight-exposure habits. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1986;76:403-414.
40. Osterlind A, Tucker MA, Stone BJ, Jensen OM. The Danish case-control study of cutaneous malignant melanoma, II: importance of UV-light exposure. Int J Cancer. 1988;42:319-324.
ISI
| PUBMED
41. Vergnes C, Daures JP, Sancho-Garnier H, et al. Sun exposure behavior of children between 3-15 years of age living in Montpellier. Ann Dermatol Venereol. 1999;126:505-512.
ISI
| PUBMED
42. Grob JJ, Guglielmina C, Gouvernet J, Zarour H, Noe C, Bonerandi JJ. Study of sunbathing habits in children and adolescents: application to the prevention of melanoma. Dermatology. 1993;186:94-98.
ISI
| PUBMED
43. Harrison SL, MacKie RM, MacLennan R. Development of melanocytic nevi in the first three years of life. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2000;92:1436-1438.
FREE FULL TEXT
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
|
Tanning and Increased Nevus Development in Very-Light-Skinned Children Without Red Hair
Aalborg et al.
Arch Dermatol 2009;145:989-996.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Vacations to Waterside Locations Result in Nevus Development in Colorado Children
Pettijohn et al.
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 2009;18:454-463.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Melanocytic Nevus Development in Colorado Children Born in 1998: A Longitudinal Study
Crane et al.
Arch Dermatol 2009;145:148-156.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Study of Nevi in Children (SONIC): Baseline Findings and Predictors of Nevus Count
Oliveria et al.
Am J Epidemiol 2009;169:41-53.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Sun Exposure and the Incidence of Melanocytic Nevi in Young Australian Children
Harrison et al.
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 2008;17:2318-2324.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Evidence Insufficient to Recommend Melanoma Surveillance Following Phototherapy for Jaundice Reply
Descamps
Arch Dermatol 2007;143:1216-1217.
FULL TEXT
The Relation between Patterns of Vacation Sun Exposure and the Development of Acquired Melanocytic Nevi in German Children 6-7 Years of Age
Gefeller et al.
Am J Epidemiol 2007;165:1162-1169.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Common Melanocytic Nevi in 7-Year-Old Schoolchildren Residing at Different Latitudes in Sweden
Rodvall et al.
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 2007;16:122-127.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
|
