Changes in melanocytic naevi and development of new naevi have been reported in pregnant women and the association between pregnancy and melanoma is a controversial topic. The aim of the present study was to conduct a systematic review to identify the dermatoscopic changes that occur in naevi during pregnancy that could facilitate in distinguishing benign from suspicious lesions. Medline, Scopus and Embase datasets were reviewed for clinical studies on dermatoscopic characteristics of melanoma and nevus in pregnancy. Six cohort studies with a total of 258 patients with 1167 skin lesions that were examined were included in the systematic review. None of the patients developed melanoma. Development of new naevi, when reported, was observed in less than half of the participants. The most frequent observed dermatoscopic change among the studies was the increase in the number of dots. Development of new vessels, hypo- and hyper pigmentations and changes in the pigment network were common described changes. Three of the included studies performed follow-up examinations postpartum and the dermatoscopic changes seen during the pregnancy, reversed at 6 and 12 months post delivery. The included studies were heterogeneous not allowing head-to-head comparisons between them. Robust studies of dermatoscopic evaluation of naevi in pregnant women are needed to determine high-risk. dermatoscopic characteristics.
| Date of Award | 2022 |
|---|
| Original language | English |
|---|
| Awarding Institution | |
|---|
| Supervisor | Iris Zalaudek (Supervisor) |
|---|
Dermatoscopic features of naevi during pregnancy - a systematic review
Cosgarea, I. (Author). 2022
Student thesis