Moles and Pigmented Lesions: Pediatric Dermatology

On the second day of Dermatology Week 2023, Leigh Ann Pansch, MSN, FNP-BC, DCNP, highlighted the importance of understanding pigmented lesions in pediatric patients during her session, “Basic Pediatric Dermatology.”

She started by noting that, in general, pediatric dermatology is focused on infants, children, and adolescents and their unique needs, which are very different from adults. She added that there is often specific, additional training and/or certification surrounding pediatric care in general.

She transitioned into pigmented lesions, noting that these typically first appear in childhood as flat and light brown. During the evolutionary process, certain types of moles can become dome shaped, especially when they grow, and the growth usually happens like a deflated balloon.

“If I take a deflated balloon and I blow it up, that growth happens symmetric all the way around and then in proportion with the growth of the child,” she stated.

She gave an example of a mole on a pregnant belly where, over the course of 9 months of pregnancy, it will expand. The mole will look bigger, but it is going to look bigger all the way around, not just on 1 side. However, she did add that certain subtypes of moles can regress later in life.

Dr Pansch continued by sharing that ongoing monitoring is recommended for these moles. If it is suspected that the mole is atypical, the clinician should search for a pattern. There are 17 normal network patterns that have been identified. Some, such as a targetoid pattern, have a light outer area with a dark center or a light center with a dark outer area. Dr Pansch indicated that patients would have 1 or 2 of the common network patterns.

“Not only am I looking at the pattern of each individual mole along with the size and the overall color, but I am looking for that patient's signature,” Dr Pansch remarked.

For more meeting coverage, visit the Spring Dermatology Week 2023 newsroom.

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Reference
Pansch L. Basic pediatric dermatology. Presented at: Dermatology Week 2023; May 3-6, 2023; Virtual.