Topical photoprotection in childhood and adolescence.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of literature without systematic methodology or quantitative synthesis
PubMed 22717610 · doi:10.2223/jped.2194
What was done
A narrative review of literature indexed in MEDLINE/PubMed between 1999 and 2012 focused on photoprotection in childhood. Relevant reviews on topical photoprotection, vitamin D, neonatal phototherapy, artificial tanning, and skin cancer were selected to guide pediatricians.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical findings, effect sizes, or quantitative risk estimates. It notes that childhood sun exposure is linked to increased risk of melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, and early skin photoaging, and that literature supports the association between safe topical sunscreen use and reduced skin cancer occurrence.
Why it matters
It highlights the clinical rationale for pediatricians to counsel children and adolescents on sun protection strategies to reduce lifetime skin cancer risk.
Limits
The paper is a non-systematic narrative review. The abstract provides no specific study count, search syntax, inclusion/exclusion criteria, quality appraisal, or quantitative data.
Cited by
- supports Severe sunburns that lead to skin peeling cause skin aging even in children as young as 10 years old.