The Dermoscopic Patterns and Evolution of Acquired Melanocytic Nevi in Pediatric Age Group

Aim: Pediatric age period has a dynamic structure for nevogenesis. In this paper, it was aimed to contribute to recognition of banal and atypical nevi through examining dermoscopic pattern and pigment network structures of acquired melanocytic nevi in pediatric age group. 
Patients and Methods: One hundred and fifty pediatric volunteers who were not predisposed to nevogenesis were included in the study. Children were divided into two groups as 7 and under, and 8 and over. 
Results: It was observed that the mean number of nevus was higher in the older age group (9.72) than in the younger age group (3.44). It was observed that the predominant pattern structure was globular pattern in both groups, and nevi with reticular patter in the age group of 8 and above were more than the age group 7 and below (p = 0.03). In both groups, nevi with globular pattern were found to be denser in the trunk and nevi with reticular patter in the extremities (p = 0.001). When the pigment network structures of nevi were examined, it was observed that the most frequently observed pigment network was uniform, but nevi with central pigmentation changes were observed more frequently in the age group of 8 years and older (p = 0.001).
Conclusion: Although acquired melanocytic nevi in the pediatric age group often have a globular pattern and uniform pigment network, the number of nevi with reticular pattern and central pigmentation changes increases with increasing age.