title: Dermoscopic patterns of naevi in fifth grade children of the Framingham school system.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Childhood is a critical period for naevogenesis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the prevalence of dermoscopic patterns of naevi using cross-sectional data from a population-based cohort of children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We obtained overview digital photography of the back of fifth graders (age 10-11 years) from all 10 schools in Framingham, MA, U.S.A. From each participant, dermoscopic images of up to four naevi were obtained, including the largest and one randomly selected naevus on the upper back and a corresponding pair from the lower back.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 443 children, 61% boys, with 1181 back naevi analysed. Globular pattern was seen in 37% of naevi, reticular pattern in 13%, homogeneous pattern in 44% and complex (reticular-globular) dermoscopic pattern in 5%. Globular naevi were significantly more frequent and larger on the upper than the lower back. There was a significant hierarchic trend in naevus diameter by dermoscopic pattern: complex naevi (4.3 mm)>globular (3.3 mm)>reticular (3.0 mm)>homogeneous (2.8 mm). Reticular naevi were more prevalent in children with darker pigment phenotype (P<0.0001). There was a decrease in the size of naevi in children with darker pigmentation (P<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An interrelationship was observed in childhood between dermoscopic pattern, naevus size, anatomical location on the back and pigment phenotype.
authors: Dermatology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10022, USA.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Scope
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Marghoob
authors: S W
authors: SW
authors: Dusza
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Satagopan
authors: A L C
authors: AL
authors: Agero
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Benvenuto-Andrade
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Lieb
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Weinstock
authors: S A
authors: SA
authors: Oliveria
authors: A C
authors: AC
authors: Geller
authors: A C
authors: AC
authors: Halpern
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D046169:Dermoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation