title: Tanning and increased nevus development in very-light-skinned children without red hair.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the relationship between tanning and nevus development in very-light-skinned children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort nested within a randomized controlled trial. Skin examinations in 3 consecutive years (2004, 2005, and 2006) included full-body counts of nevi, skin color and tanning measurement using colorimetry, and hair and eye color evaluation by comparison with charts. Telephone interviews of parents provided sun exposure, sun protection, and sunburn history.
  
  
  METHODS
  Large managed-care organization and private pediatric offices in the Denver, Colorado, metropolitan area.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 131 very-light-skinned white children without red hair and 444 darker-skinned white children without red hair born in Colorado in 1998.
  
  
  METHODS
  Full-body nevus counts at ages 6 to 8 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among very-light-skinned white children, geometric mean numbers of nevi for minimally tanned children were 14.8 at age 6 years; 18.8 at age 7 years; and 22.3 at age 8 years. Mean numbers of nevi for tanned children were 21.2 at age 6 years; 27.9 at age 7 years; and 31.9 at age 8 years. Differences in nevus counts between untanned and tanned children were statistically significant at all ages (P < .05 for all comparisons). The relationship between tanning and number of nevi was independent of the child's hair and eye color, parent-reported sun exposure, and skin phototype. Among darker-skinned white children, there was no relationship between tanning and nevi.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Very-light-skinned children who tan (based on objective measurement) develop more nevi than children who do not tan. These results suggest that light-skinned children who develop tans may be increasing their risk for developing melanoma later in life.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Denver, 13001 E 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aalborg
authors.forename: Joseph G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Morelli
authors.forename: Stefan T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Mokrohisky
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Asdigian
authors.forename: Tim E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Byers
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Dellavalle
authors.forename: Neil F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Box
authors.forename: Lori A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Crane
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003120:Colorado / Q000453:epidemiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006200:Hair Color / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000473:pathology; D009506:Nevus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*