Long-term follow-up of congenital melanocytic nevi in a pediatric population: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to comprehensively characterize the profile of patients with congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) through the evaluation of clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic aspects, as well as outcomes related to malignancy. Lesions were classified according to current clinical criteria, considering size, projected adult size, and relevant morphological features.

METHODS

A retrospective study of patients diagnosed with giant, large, medium, or multiple CMN followed from 1995 to 2022.

RESULTS

Data from 60 patients were evaluated; the mean follow-up period was 5.9 years, and 63.3% were female. According to nevus size, 29.9% were giant, 33.3% large, 28.3% medium, and 8.3% medium multiple. According to location, 36.6% were on the trunk, 30% on extremities, 25% on the head, and 8.3% on other sites. Identified malformations were spina bifida (n=1), failure of fusion of the sacral posterior arch (n=1), and neurocutaneous melanosis (n=1). Melanoma was diagnosed in one patient, and proliferative nodules were found in three cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings stress the importance of the long-term follow-up of patients with giant, large, medium, or multiple CMN to detect associated malformations, proliferative nodules, and melanoma.