How common are café-au-lait birthmarks?

Approximately 10% of the general population has one or two café-au-lait spots. However, having more than 5 café-au-lait spots (referred to as multiple CALS) is rare.

What do café-au-lait spots signify?

In contrast, Café au lait lesions of neurofibromatosis have smooth borders (“coast of California”). They are caused by a collection of pigment-producing melanocytes in the epidermis of the skin. These spots are typically permanent and may grow or increase in number over time….

Café au lait spot
Specialty	Dermatology

Do café-au-lait spots always mean neurofibromatosis?

Q: If my child has many café-au-lait spots, does that mean that she’ll develop many neurofibromas? A: No, all factors of NF1 are independent: Many spots don’t mean many neurofibromas. Having a spot doesn’t mean that a neurofibroma will grow on that spot.

Do café-au-lait spots run in families?

Multiple café-au-lait spots have been observed in successive generations of several families without any other manifestations of neurofibromatosis (NF) or any other systemic disorder. The café-au-lait spots in these families segregate as an autosomal dominant trait.

What diseases cause cafe au lait spots?

Fanconi anemia: Café au lait macules are present along with mental retardation, aplastic anemia, and risk for malignancy. Tuberous sclerosis: Café au lait spots are present along with Ash leaf spots, facial angiofibromas, hemangiomas, cardiac rhabdomyomas, and shagreen patches. Silver-Russell syndrome.

How many cafe au lait spots are concerning?

Cafe au lait spots usually appear singly. More spots can occur in children with a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis or other conditions. If your child has six or more cafe au lait spots, ask your doctor whether your child needs a medical examination.

Can cafe au lait spots become cancerous?

Developing a spot on your body can be a cause for concern, but café au lait spots are benign pigmented lesions that don’t cause cancer. These spots are usually smooth, although some spots can be raised.

Is café au lait sweet?

One popular variant of the café au lait is served at coffee shops in New Orleans where it’s made using milk, coffee, and chicory. Also, American café au lait is usually served with sweet, powdered sugar-coated beignets to offset the chicory’s bitter flavor.

How do I know if my baby has neurofibromatosis?

Light brown spots on the skin called café-au-lait spots. These are the most common signs of NF, and they often appear at birth or in the first years of life. They’re harmless, but if your child has more than six, she probably has NF1. Freckles in the armpits or groin area also are signs of NF1.

Is neurofibromatosis more common in males or females?

NF1 is a rare disorder that affects males and females in equal numbers. NF1 affects all races and ethnic groups equally and is estimated to occur in 1 in 2,500 to 3,000 births.

Can you have 6 cafe au lait spots without neurofibromatosis?

Indeed, anyone can have 1 or 2 cafe-au-lait spots without having neurofibromatosis. The only significance to the cafe-au-lait spot is that it suggests the possibility that a person might have NF1. People with NF1 usually have many cafe-au-lait spots, sometimes hundreds, and almost always more than 6.

Do cafe au lait spots get darker?

Café au lait spots are a type of birthmark characterized by flat patches on the skin. They are light brown in color but can darken with sun exposure.

What is a café au lait birthmark?

Café au lait spots, or café au lait macules, are flat, pigmented birthmarks. The name café au lait is French for “coffee with milk” and refers to their light-brown color. Café au lait spots are often harmless but may be associated with syndromes such as neurofibromatosis type 1 and McCune–Albright syndrome.

What are café au lait spots?

Café au lait spots are harmless and normal, with some people having anywhere from one to three spots. But sometimes, these spots can indicate an underlying genetic problem. Here is what you need to know about café au lait spots, including when to see a doctor for them.

What is café au lait (Cal) lesion?

The name café au lait is French for “coffee with milk” and refers to their light-brown color. Café au lait lesions with rough borders (“coast of Maine”) may be seen in McCune-Albright syndrome. In contrast, Café au lait lesions of neurofibromatosis have smooth borders (“coast of California”).

What is a café a la lait macule?

A café-au-lait macule is a common birthmark, presenting as a hyperpigmented skin patch with a sharp border and diameter of > 0.5 cm. It is also known as circumscribed café-au-lait hypermelanosis, von Recklinghausen spot, or abbreviated as ‘CALM’.