How many kids have NF1?
It affects about 1 in 2,500 to 3,000 births each year in the United States. Signs of NF1 may be present at birth and almost always by the time a child is 10. Most people with NF1 have only mild signs and symptoms that need little or no treatment. But some can be more severe.
Does NF1 get worse with age?
Typically, adults with NF1 will develop more neurofibromas over time. They may grow for a period of time and then stop growing.
At what age do neurofibromas appear?
They can be present at birth or may not become noticeable for many years. Although some cutaneous neurofibromas arise in childhood, most start appearing during or after the teenage years. Freckling usually appears by 3 to 5 years of age. Freckles are similar in appearance to café-au-lait spots but are smaller in size.
What does NF1 look like?
The most common symptom of NF1 is the appearance of painless, coffee-coloured patches on the skin, called café au lait spots. However, not everyone with café au lait spots has NF1. The spots can be present at birth or develop by the time a child is 3 years old.
What is neurofibromatosis type 1 for children?
Yearly physical exams that include blood pressure monitoring by a doctor who knows this condition well.
Is there a cure for neurofibromatosis?
There is no cure for neurofibromatosis. The effects of neurofibromatosis are unpredictable and have varying manifestations and degrees of severity. Treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms and may include surgery to remove tumors, radiation therapy, and/or medicines.
Can Yout get disability for NF1?
NF1 is not a disability, although someone with extreme symptoms should be considered disabled. There are lots of people with NF1 that lead normal productive lives.
What is neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)?
Summary Summary. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic condition characterized primarily by changes in skin color and the growth of benign (non-cancerous) tumors along the nerves of the skin, brain, and other parts of the body.
