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, is an indispensable step in all primary prevention efforts.
This paper aims to assess the prevalence of different pigmented lesions among schoolchildren
and to investigate their relationship with phenotypic pigmentary characteristics,
sun exposure and other factors.
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.
One to 10 common melanocytic naevi were found in 27% of the participants, and the
naevus numbers were in the range of 10-100 in 67%; 5.4% of them had more than 100
common melanocytic naevi. The prevalence of clinically atypical naevi was 24.3%. Statistically
significant associations were found between the number of pigmented lesions and gender,
hair colour, eye colour, skin phototype, a history of severe painful sunburns and
a family history of a large number of melanocytic naevi.
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 a 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.
