title: Clinical and dermoscopic patterns of melanocytic nevi in Hispanic adolescents: a descriptive study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Melanocytic nevi are well-known, important precursors of melanoma among children and adults. The adolescence period is an important period for nevi formation and evolution. This study provides data of a longitudinal study of nevi in a Hispanic adolescent population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey and 1-year prospective follow-up study was performed on Hispanic students from grades 6 and 7 at a school in Caguas, Puerto Rico (n = 90). The survey was completed by the students and one of their parents. The backs of the children were clinically examined for melanocytic nevi using digital photography and dermoscopy. Follow-up was conducted one year later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study cohort consisted of 53 (59%) boys and 37 (41%) girls, with an average age of 11.9 years (range 11-13 years). At the beginning of the study, 85% (n = 71/90) of the students presented with melanocytic nevi on their backs. After one year, new nevi were identified in 62% (n = 44/71), and there was a mean increase in nevus count of 1.8 (P < 0.001). A trend toward increased nevus count in lighter skin types was observed (P < 0.001). The predominant dermoscopic pattern was reticular (44%). The globular pattern was found most commonly in children with skin-type II (100%), while the reticular pattern was the most common among skin-types III (32%), IV (56%), and V (45%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports the utility of digital photography and dermoscopy for the evaluation of melanocytic nevi, providing evidence of the interrelationship between nevus count, dermoscopic pattern, and skin phenotype.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
authors: Ivette M
authors: IM
authors: Sosa-Seda
authors: Sheila
authors: S
authors: Valentín-Nogueras
authors: Luz D
authors: LD
authors: Figueroa
authors: Jorge L
authors: JL
authors: Sánchez
authors: Rogelio
authors: R
authors: Mercado
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001415:Back; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D046169:Dermoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D010781:Photography; D015995:Prevalence; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*