Epidemiology
Melanocytic nevi are very common, with >98% of white people developing at least one nevus by early childhood.[12] Typically, acquired melanocytic nevi arise in childhood and adolescence and reach a maximum number in early adulthood.[1] The average white person can expect to develop between 15 and 40 acquired nevi throughout life, which then regress with increasing age.[1][13] Melanocytic nevi are reported to be less common in Asian and black people.[1][14] There is no difference in prevalence of nevi based on sex.[5]
Congenital nevi are stated to occur in <2% of the population.[15]
Nevus spilus may be a congenital nevus with a prevalence of no more than 2% of the population.[6][16]
Halo nevi, also known as Sutton nevi, affect individuals <20 years old, often on the back, and account for 1% to 5% of nevi in the white population.[5][7]
Spitz nevi are found in children and younger adults. They may rarely be congenital, are usually acquired, and are estimated to be found in <1% of the population.[5]
Atypical, dysplastic, or Clark nevi are sporadic or familial, are estimated to have an incidence of between 2% and 10%, and can be acquired throughout life.[5][7] Some believe dysplastic nevi to be the most common nevi in humans, and they may be in white people; however, estimates of prevalence vary widely and have not been studied in all races, making definitive conclusions hard to determine.[5][17]
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