title: Study of Nevi in Children (SONIC): baseline findings and predictors of nevus count.
abstract: The authors report baseline findings and predictors of nevus count (log total nevi) at the completion of year 1 (2004) of the first known population-based, prospective study of nevi in a US cohort of children. Overall, 64% (n = 443/691) of grade 5 students and their parents in Framingham, Massachusetts, completed surveys and underwent digital photography. Total nevus count was associated with skin and hair color and tendency to burn, as measured by a sun sensitivity index. In multivariate analyses, male gender (rate ratio (RR) = 1.38, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22, 1.55; P < 0.0001), spending 5-6 weekly hours outdoors between 10 AM and 4 PM (RR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.28; P = 0.051), getting a painful sunburn once (RR = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.98, 1.57; P = 0.073) and at least twice (RR = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.82; P = 0.061), and wearing a shirt at the beach or pool rarely (RR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.54; P = 0.005), sometimes (RR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.57; P = 0.041), and often and always (RR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.54; P = 0.001) were associated with increased number of nevi. Identifying factors that predict the development of nevi will improve primary prevention efforts during early life.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10022, USA. oliveri1@mskcc.org
authors.forename: Susan A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Oliveria
authors.forename: Jaya M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Satagopan
authors.forename: Alan C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Geller
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Dusza
authors.forename: Martin A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Weinstock
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berwick
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.forename: Maureen K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Heneghan
authors.forename: Allan C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Halpern
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010290:Parents; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013471:Sunburn / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*