Skin lesions in children
Nevi (commonly known as moles) are benign skin lesions originating from melanocytes — the cells that produce melanin, which gives skin its color. Moles are classified as congenital, meaning they are present at birth or become noticeable within the first year of life, and acquired, which develop during the first decades of life.
The number and type of moles depend on genetic and hereditary factors, while sun exposure may influence their development. This explains why they are more commonly found on areas of the body that are exposed to sunlight.
As mentioned, moles are benign skin lesions, but they are of particular medical interest because they may visually resemble melanoma, which is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. In addition, under certain conditions, some moles may serve as the background on which melanoma can develop.
For these reasons, any change in a mole should be evaluated by a dermatologist. If a mole is considered suspicious, it should be referred to a plastic surgeon for surgical removal.
Apart from cases where a mole is suspected of malignant transformation, a mole may also be removed if it is located in an area prone to frequent trauma, if it causes discomfort in daily life due to its size or position, or simply for aesthetic reasons.
A special category of moles that appears in childhood and may require the attention of a plastic surgeon is giant congenital melanocytic nevi (larger than 20 cm). These carry a small risk of transformation into melanoma, and their removal during childhood is generally recommended.
Another type of nevus that may be of concern in childhood is the sebaceous nevus, also known as Jadassohn’s nevus. This lesion is congenital (present at birth) and typically appears on the scalp as a hairless yellow–orange plaque. It carries a very small risk of transformation into basal cell carcinoma, which is why surgical removal is recommended.
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