LB1126 Sunburn history in relation to melanocytic nevus count in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Melanocytic nevus count is a major risk factor for potentially fatal cutaneous melanoma, but its association with sunburns has not been well established in young children. We sought to review the literature on sunburn history and nevus development in young children. Of the total 197 publications that resulted from our PubMed search in February 2019, eight met inclusion criteria of case-control or cohort study design; included data on nevus count and lifetime history of sun burns; studied children, over half of whom were under the age of twelve years; and was published in English. We further conducted a meta-analysis of studies that provided risk estimates for continuous nevus counts (outcome) and dichotomous history of sunburn (exposure). Our preliminary meta-analysis using random effects model generated a pooled estimate of standardized mean differences (SMD) from three studies, and another pooled estimate of rate ratios (RR) from the five other studies. Due to the skewed nature of nevus counts, both estimates were created using natural logarithmic scale and then transformed to the linear scale for ease of interpretation. The results of this review support the association between positive history of sunburn and nevus count: SMD of 1.44[95%CI 1.33,1.56] and RR of 1.16[95%CI 1.12,1.18], respectively). Based on the available evidence, our results support childhood as being a vulnerable window for later nevus development, but further data are needed to determine the timing in which this occurs.