An update on congenital melanocytic naevi in children

CMN projected adult size categories: small (<1.5 cm); medium (M1: 1.5-10 cm, M2: >10-20 cm); large (L1: >20-30 cm, L2: >30-40 cm); and giant (G1: >40-60 cm, G2: >60 cm) Total number of naevi in the first year of life: 0, 1 to 20, 21 to 50, 51 or more Additional descriptors of CMN: localization, colour heterogeneity, surface rugosity, hypertrichosis (all none, moderate, marked), presence of nodules (none, scattered, extensive) In the author’s own practice however the terms relating to size are not used (only measurement), and in particular ‘giant’ is avoided as it is often disliked by families, and nor is the term ‘satellite’ naevi as these are true congenital naevi in their own right, not an offshoot of the largest lesion. Also in the author’s practice the total number of naevi is categorized as 0-10, 11-20, 21-50, 51-100, 101-200, and >200, because many severely affected children are seen. Lastly the author also registers whether the lesions are clinically stable or not (ie producing new nodules), and whether the patient is developing new naevi.