Frequency of acquired melanonevocytic nevi and their relationship to skin complexion in 939 schoolchildren.

In 939 schoolchildren aged 8-16 years skin complexion was determined by a system of seven categories Anamnestic data concerning tanning ability and history of sunburns, however, were not considered owing to their obvious unreliability in children. Mean nevus count was 17.97, was significantly higher in boys than in girls and increased with age. There was a clear relation of mean nevus number and skin complexion: in fair skin type nevi are most frequent, decreasing in number by increasing of pigment content. Additionally, children with freckles have higher mean nevus count in every category of skin complexion. All literature data critically reviewed as dealing with mean mole count are not comparable in several respects. In different races, however, such studies may serve as a basis for subsequent investigations concerning the questions of probably increasing number of melanonevocytic nevi.