Congenital melanocytic naevi

Abstract

By definition, congenital melanocytic naevi are present at birth; all other naevi are acquired. However, some congenital naevi only become clinically apparent in early infancy rather than at birth (Kopf et al., 1985a). When compared to acquired naevi, congenital naevi are usually larger, are more frequently centred around cutaneous adnexae, more often penetrate the reticular dermis, sometimes exhibit more complex differentiation, e.g. a greater degree of neurotization and occasional blue naevus-like areas, and manifest a greater propensity to malignant change, which can assume unusual forms. Therefore, distinction between the two is of practical importance.