[Congenital melanocytic nevi: a study of 23 cases at a health center].

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to further understand congenital melanocytic nevus.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

For this purpose, the cases of 1,265 subjects that had consulted a general practitioner and pediatrician in a primary care center were studied.

RESULTS

We found that the prevalence of small congenital melanocytic nevi (SCMN) was 1.8% in the 1,265 subjects examined. The male/female ratio was 9/14 with an age range between 1 and 14 years and a modal interval from 5 to 9 years. The location was preferentially found on the trunk (39.1%). In 29.4% of the prepubertal and 66.6% of the postpubertal subjects the diameter was greater than or equal to 1.5 cm. Raised texture was found in 65.2% and hairy in 34.8%. There was an association between the raised texture and the prepubertal stage.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the prevalence of CMN was 1.8%, with all being SCMN.