Keywords
Neoplasm
Sunburn
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Abstract
Objective: To evaluate whether exposure to sunburns during childhood is associated with an increased risk of developing skin neoplasms compared with individuals with low or no sun exposure during this period. Methods: This is a systematic literature review conducted according to the PRISMA protocol. The research question was structured using the PICO strategy, with children as the population, sunburn as the exposure, and skin neoplasms as the outcome. Searches were performed in the PubMed/MEDLINE, CAPES, ScienceDirect, EBSCOhost, and BVS databases using the descriptors “Skin neoplasm”, “Sunburn”, and “Child”, including studies published between 2021 and 2026 in English and Portuguese. Study selection occurred in three stages (title, abstract, and full text), with independent duplicate review and use of Rayyan software. Methodological quality was assessed using the Jadad scale and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results: Eight studies were included. A consistent association was observed between childhood sunburn and increased risk of melanoma and other skin neoplasms, as well as a relationship with a higher number of melanocytic nevi. Educational interventions were also found to be effective in improving photoprotection behaviors among children and adolescents. Final considerations: There is a consistent association between childhood sunburn and an increased risk of skin neoplasms, although methodological limitations and heterogeneity among studies restrict causal inferences.
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