title: [The prevalence of melanocytic naevi among teenagers].
abstract: Malignant melanoma is an increasing public health problem worldwide; accordingly, identification of the constitutional and environmental factors which contribute to the development of the disease, and hence identification of the individuals at high risk of melanoma, are indispensable steps in all primary prevention efforts.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence of different pigmented lesions among schoolchildren, and to investigate their relationship with phenotypic pigmentary characteristics, sun exposure and other factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was performed in two secondary schools in Szeged, Hungary. A total of 1320 schoolchildren, aged 14 to 18 years, underwent a whole-body skin examination. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect data on phenotypic, sun exposure and other variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 1-10 common melanocytic naevi were found in 27% of the participants, and naevi numbers were in the range between 10-100 in 67%. 5.4% of them had more than 100 common melanocytic naevi. The prevalence of clinically atypical naevi was 24.3%. Congenital naevi were detected in 6.2% of the schoolchildren. A statistically significant association was found between the number of pigmented lesions and gender, hair colour, eye colour, skin phototype, the history of severe painful sunburns, and the family history of a large number of melanocytic naevi.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study population displayed a markedly high prevalence of clinically atypical melanocytic naevi. Moreover, a considerable proportion of the investigated individuals had multiple common melanocytic naevi. Since the presence of large number of melanocytic naevi is a strong predictor for future melanoma development, health educational programmes on melanoma prevention should be aimed at young age groups.
authors.affiliation: Szegedi Tudományegyetem, Borgyógyászati és Allergológiai Klinika, Szeged Korányi fasor 6. 6720. csomazs@mail.derma.szote.u-szeged.hu
authors.forename: Zsanett
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Csoma
authors.forename: Zsuzsanna
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Erdei
authors.forename: Dóra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bartusek
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dósa-Rácz
authors.forename: Attila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dobozy
authors.forename: Lajos
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kemény
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oláh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005127:Eye Color; D005260:Female; D006200:Hair Color; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D015995:Prevalence; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D013471:Sunburn / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects