National qualitative study in France to explore parents' lived experience at the birth of a child with a large or giant congenital melanocytic nevus.

INTRODUCTION

Congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are congenital malformations that cannot be detected by prenatal ultrasounds and may have a significant physical and psychological impact on affected individuals, particularly when they are large. Congenital anomalies are known to impair parental quality of life, which may in turn affect the child's well-being and development. However, little is known about the feelings and lived experience of parents on the birth of a CMN-affected child.The aim of this study is to describe the lived experience of parents of a child with a large or giant CMN, and to document the expressed needs for support (psychological, marital, parenting-related and those evolving along the care pathway) METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a qualitative study in 10 French hospitals, based on semi-structured interviews. Eligible participants will be parents of children under 18 years of age with a large or giant CMN. A maximum variation sampling strategy will be applied to ensure optimal diversity of profiles in terms of children's age, gender and phototype and location and size of the CMN. The target sample size will be determined by theoretical saturation. Data will be analysed using an inductive thematic content analysis approach.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has received ethical approval from the Nancy University Hospital (NUH) Ethics Committee (Opinion No. 504) and authorisation from the French Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL) (Ref. 2024PI238-614). Non-opposition to participation will be documented in medical records. Findings will be presented at national and European dermatology conferences and published in peer-reviewed international journals.