Background: Melanocytic nevus density is a strong risk factor for cutaneous malignant melanoma. Reducing the number of nevi in children may reduce the risk of their developing melanoma as adults.
Objective: We sought to assess the effect of sunscreen use on nevus development by anatomic sites and by nevi of different sizes for white schoolchildren in a randomized trial.
Methods: We compared the new nevus count between the sunscreen intervention group (n = 145) and the control group (n = 164) by anatomic site.
Results: Children randomized to the sunscreen group had significantly fewer new nevi on the trunk than children in the control group. The differences were more pronounced among the freckled children than children with no freckles.
Limitations: Potential limitations to this study include relatively small numbers of enrolled children, and a follow-up period of only 3 years.
Conclusion: Sunscreen use attenuated new nevus development on intermittently sun-exposed body sites for white schoolchildren, particularly among the freckled children.