Children and Sun Exposure in the Northeast of Italy

Abstract

Excessive, incorrect exposure to the sun at a young age can be a risk factor for skin cancer at a later age. In this study we have investigated the exposure and protection habits of a group of children to see whether there are behavioral errors that should and possibly could be corrected. We handed out a multiple-choice questionnaire to 310 subjects, 212 boys and 98 girls between the ages of 6 and 14, all residents in the province of Udine in the northeastern part of Italy. Of these children, 24% had sunburn on several occasions; boys were four times more at risk than girls (OR = 0.4) and the frequency reduced by 30% for each skin phototype class higher. In children between 11 and 14 years of age, exposure was prolonged (43% for 2-4 hours, 38% for 4-8 hours) and 30% preferred peak hours. Eighty percent of the children, mostly girls, younger children (6-10), and the lower skin phototypes used sunscreens, but only 38% used them on a regular basis, whereas 20% applied them after sunbathing and 42% used a single daily application. Two percent of the children used sunglasses and 5% wore a T-shirt regularly. The dermatologist and pediatrician play an important role in advising parents that the sun is good for children, but appropriate measures must be taken to reduce any risks, both immediately and in the long term.

Skin cancer risk factors among primary school children: Investigations in Western Hungary

“…What part of the body has been overexposed to sunburns?). These data suggest that, except for the group characterized by appropriate use of hat, parents are more inclined to use protective tools rather than limit their children's sun exposure; these data are consistent with the results of other investigations (Robinson and Rademaker, 1998;Stinco et al, 2005). A systematic review of the evidence linking sunscreens use to sun exposure duration found that intentional sun exposure tends to be longer when a sunscreen is used or when SPF (sun protection factor) increases (Autier et al, 1999(Autier et al, , 2007.…”

“…The results are relevant because they highlight that melanoma risk factors (fairness of eye, hair and skin colour, presence of nevi and experience of sunburns) are common in the investigated children population. As reported by other studies, the study pointed out that constitutional characteristics such as fair complexion, presence of freckles and older age were factors predicting sunburns (Balato et al, 2007;Cercato et al, 2008;Dixon et al, 1999;Ramazzotti et al, 2009;Severi et al, 2002;Stinco et al, 2005). These findings confirm the evidence of the higher susceptibility of fair skinned individuals and highlight a decline in sun protection practices in older children, probably due to reduced parental control.…”

Sun habits in the children of Southern Italy

“…In fact, they found that skin phototype II was the most common (49%), followed by III (28%), IV (14%), I (5%), and V (4%). 9 In contrast, our children's phototype was represented as follows: IV (53.30%), III (35.50%), II (8.60%), and I (2.60%).…”

Perfil epidemiológico dos cidadãos de Florianópolis quanto à exposição solar

“…Esse grupo, porém, é o mais vulnerável: estima-se que 50,0 a 80,0% dos danos causados à pele pelo sol ocorram durante a infância e adolescência, quando a intensa e intermitente exposição solar é causa de queimaduras relacionadas ao aumento do risco de desenvolver melanoma na fase adulta. 23 Estudo realizado com crianças italianas 24 revelou que 99,0% das 310 crianças com 6 a 14 anos de idade referiram não ter medo dos efeitos do sol e somente 60,0% delas usavam constantemente filtro solar. No contexto da exposição solar em crianças e adolescentes, estudos mostram que a informação dos pais sobre os métodos de proteção adequada promove a redução da incidência de queimaduras em seus filhos, 24 provocada pelo sol; e que, quanto maior a idade das crianças por ocasião da orientação, mais elas se tornam independentes da supervisão dos pais e, com as suas próprias ideias, aumentam os riscos de exposição incorreta e perigosa ao sol.…”

“…23 Estudo realizado com crianças italianas 24 revelou que 99,0% das 310 crianças com 6 a 14 anos de idade referiram não ter medo dos efeitos do sol e somente 60,0% delas usavam constantemente filtro solar. No contexto da exposição solar em crianças e adolescentes, estudos mostram que a informação dos pais sobre os métodos de proteção adequada promove a redução da incidência de queimaduras em seus filhos, 24 provocada pelo sol; e que, quanto maior a idade das crianças por ocasião da orientação, mais elas se tornam independentes da supervisão dos pais e, com as suas próprias ideias, aumentam os riscos de exposição incorreta e perigosa ao sol. 25 O hábito de bronzear-se nas praias de Florianópolis pode ter contribuído para os resultados encontrados aqui.…”