Neurofibromatosis type 1 of the child increases birth weight

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is associated with reduced adult height, but there are no cohort studies on birth size. This retrospective study includes a cohort of 1,410 persons with NF1 and a matched comparison cohort from the general population. Figures for birth size were retrieved from the administrative registers of Finland, and the data were converted to standard deviation scores (SDS), defined as standard deviation difference to the reference population. The birth weight among infants with NF1 was higher than among infants without the disorder (adjusted mean difference [95% confidence interval]: 0.53 SDS [0.19-0.87]), as was the head circumference at birth (0.58 SDS [0.26-0.90]). The birth length of the NF1 infants did not differ significantly from the comparison cohort. The birth weight in the group consisting of NF1 and non-NF1 infants of NF1 mothers was lower than among infants of mothers in the comparison cohort (-0.28 SDS [-0.51 to -0.06]), as was the birth length (-0.22 SDS [-0.45 to 0.00]). In conclusion, the birth weight and head circumference of persons with NF1 are significantly higher than those of persons without the disorder. NF1 of the mother reduces birth weight and birth length of the infant.