...The neurofibromatoses (NF) are genetic disorders of the nervous system. At this time two distinct forms are known: NF1 and NF2. One baby in every four thousand is born in the United States with NF1. It is one of the most common genetic disorders, affecting some one hundred thousand americans. NF2 is less common and occurs in only one and every forty thousand births. In both forms of NF severity of symptoms vary greatly. The effects can be severely disabling, mildly disfiguring or can even go undetected. Several other names for this disorder have been used in the past but recent advancements in understanding the disorder made some of those terms obsolete. NF1 was previously known as peripheral neurofibromatosis, or von Recklinghouasen’s disease after the doctor who first described it in 1882. NF2 was called bilateral acoustic nuerofibromatosis, central neurofibromatosis, or vestibular schwannoma. NF is found in every racial and ethnic group throughout the world and affects both sexes equally. Both neurofibromatosis1 and neurofibromitosis2 are caused by abnormal genes. This disease cannot be "caught" from someone who has it already. . A common early sign of NF1 is six or more tan spots on the skin. They are called "cafe-au-lait" (French for "coffee with milk") spots. These spots are often present at birth, and may increase in size and number with age. They also may become darker. More than half of affected children have some signs ...
Words: 1436 - Pages: 6
