Congenital pigmented nevi: prognosis and treatment

Congenital pigmented nevi are found in approximately 1 % of newborn infants . Two main factors determine their management: 1) the risk of malignancy (m elanoma);2) the aesthetic consequences, these factors being themse Ives dep endent upon the size and the localization of the nevi. Thus, if the systema tic resection of small nevi is not required, early treatment of giant nevi which carry a high risk of malignancy before the age of ten years, is highl y recommended. Main methods of treatment are surgical resection (with the h elp of skin grafts, or cutaneous expansion or mobilization, in giant nevi), dermabrasion and curettage. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.