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Fig. 58.9 Large blue-gray Mongolian spot of the sacral area and dark brown congenital nevus. (Courtesy of the William L. Weston, M.D. Collection.) |
Congenital pigmented nevi (see Fig. 58-9) are developmental errors of pigment cells (melanocytes). They should be defined as small (<1.5 cm), medium (1.5 to 20 cm), and large (>20 cm) in their largest diameter at birth. Some authorities define large as covering >5% of the body surface. Small/medium congenital pigmented nevi are quite common (1/100), whereas large congenital pigmented nevi are rare (1/20,000). The controversy surrounding these lesions concerns their malignant potential. Lifetime risk for the development of melanoma in large congenital pigmented nevi is 1% to 2%.
Kinsler VA, Birley J, Atherton DJ: Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children Registry for Congenital Melanocytic Naevi: prospective study 1988–2007. Part 1— epidemiology, phenotype and outcomes,
Br J Dermatol 160:143–150, 2009.