Café-Au-Lait Macules in Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Birthmark or Biomarker?

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a rare multisystem disorder characterized by variable expressivity and increased tumor risk. Café-au-lait macules (CALMs) are a hallmark of the disease, often representing one of the earliest clinical manifestations and allowing a clinical NF1 diagnosis if six or more are present. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic value of CALMs at birth in NF1 patients.

We conducted a retrospective study in patients aged ≥ 4 years presenting with CALMs at our Institution between 2020 and 2021, with a minimum follow-up of four years. We retrospectively collected data on CALMs at birth and other clinical manifestations associated with NF1.

Among 208 patients evaluated, including 147 with a confirmed diagnosis of NF1, 110 did not show CALMs at birth, and 98 had at least one. The absence of CALMs at birth did not correlate with a lower likelihood of NF1. In contrast, the CALM number at birth directly correlated with the likelihood of NF1, up to 95% in patients with ≥5 macules. Additionally, a higher number of CALMs correlated with a greater prevalence of plexiform neurofibromas (p < 0.001).

Our findings suggest that a higher number of CALMs may indicate a more severe form of NF1, with an increased risk of plexiform neurofibromas. These results emphasize the importance of a comprehensive evaluation of patients with CALMs, especially in case of multiple lesions, aiming at implementing early NF1 diagnosis, follow-up strategies, and overall patient management.