Can someone with neurofibromatosis have kids?

KEY POINTS. Neurofibromatosis (also called NF) causes tumors that can be in many parts of the body, including the brain, spinal cord, nerves and skin. If you have NF, you can pass it to your baby through genes. You may want to have some genetic tests during pregnancy to see if your baby has NF.

Can a person with neurofibromatosis have children?

A: Yes, because anyone can have a child with NF1. If you have a mutation in the NF1 gene, there's a 50 percent chance that another child will have the mutation.

Does neurofibromatosis affect fertility?

While fertility does not seem to be impaired in neurofibromatosis, these patients experience a higher-than-expected rate of first-trimester spontaneous abortions (20.7%), stillbirths (8.7%) and intrauterine growth retardation (13.0%).

Does neurofibromatosis affect pregnancy?

There are different opinions about the implications of neurofibromatosis on pregnancy. Some authors have suggested an increased frequency of obstetric complications such as spontaneous miscarriage, preterm delivery, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, stillbirths and increased rate of caesarean section.

Can neurofibromatosis be passed on to offspring?

Once a person has NF1, however, they can pass on the faulty gene to their children. In each pregnancy, an affected parent has a one in two (50 per cent) chance of passing the NF1 faulty gene on to their child, causing the child to be affected. This pattern of inheritance is referred to as autosomal dominant.

Jase's Journey with Neurofibromatosis

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. In addition, they may change in shape or color as they grow. Sometimes, they can also be associated with itching or slight discomfort when bumped.

What are the chances of having a child with NF1?

Regardless of whether a person with NF1 is the first one in the family to be affected or whether the condition has been present for many generations, all persons with NF1 have a 50% chance of having a child with NF1 for each and every future pregnancy. Genetic or DNA testing for NF1 is currently available.

Can NF1 cause miscarriage?

Most of the current obstetric literature indicates that pregnant women with NF1 have increased risk of complications like spontaneous miscarriage, preterm delivery, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation, stillbirths as well as maternal disease aggravation.

What is the life expectancy of someone with NF1?

If there are no complications, the life expectancy of people with NF is almost normal. With the right education, people with NF can live a normal life. Although mental impairment is generally mild, NF1 is a known cause of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Is neurofibromatosis a disability?

Although neurofibromatosis is a serious condition, the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not specifically list the disorder as a disability. But, the symptoms that accompany the condition can be reviewed for benefits.

Can NF1 be detected during pregnancy?

Neurofibromatosis screening tests can be performed prenatally (while a fetus is in utero) to help determine whether an individual will be born with the condition. However, prenatal neurofibromatosis tests are typically only given when one or both parents have the condition.

Can neurofibromatosis be cured?

There is no known treatment or cure for neurofibromatosis or schwannomatosis. Medication can be prescribed to help with pain. In some cases, growths may be removed surgically or reduced with radiation therapy.

Are neurofibromas painful?

A genetic disorder such as neurofibromatosis (NF) can cause multiple neurofibromas. Most of these tumors do not hurt or cause problems, but some neurofibromas itch or are painful, and some become tumors. Treatment consists of observation and, if necessary, medications or surgical removal.

Is NF1 fatal?

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)

In most cases, symptoms of NF1 are relatively mild, allowing patients to live normal and productive lives. However, the disorder can also be debilitating and, in some cases, life-threatening.

Is neurofibromatosis serious?

The tumors in these disorders are usually noncancerous (benign), but sometimes can become cancerous (malignant). Symptoms are often mild. However, complications of neurofibromatosis can include hearing loss, learning impairment, heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) problems, loss of vision, and severe pain.

Can you live a normal life with neurofibromatosis?

Children and adults with NF1 can have a variety of symptoms and medical problems which can change across a lifespan. Most people with NF1 have a normal life expectancy. Because many of the other clinical features of NF1 develop as an individual gets older, getting the correct diagnosis may take several years.

Does NF1 affect puberty?

Delayed or Early Puberty: Most people with NF1 will start puberty at the expected age range, but some may have precocious (early) or delayed puberty. Small Stature: Affects about 30% of people with NF1 and may be treated with growth hormone.

Can NF1 cause leukemia?

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder caused by mutations in the NF1 gene. Patients with NF1 have a higher risk to develop juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) with a possible progression toward acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Is cafe au lait spots normal?

Yes. Café-au-lait (CAL) spots are most often present on a newborn's skin but it is common for CAL spots to develop on a person's skin later in life. It is normal for a person to have a few CAL spots but more than six spots may be a sign of an underlying condition.

Can amniocentesis detect NF1?

Clinical genetic testing can confirm the presence of a mutation in the neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene. Prenatal testing for an NF1 mutation is also possible using amniocentesis or chorionic villus-sampling procedures.

How rare is NF2?

NF2 is a rare disorder that affects males and females in equal numbers. All races and ethnic groups are equally affected by this disorder. The estimated incidence of NF2 is 1 in 33,000 people worldwide. The symptoms of this disease typically become apparent during puberty or early adulthood.

At what age do neurofibromas develop?

Neurofibromas usually start to appear from the age of ten onwards and may increase in number during a lifetime. Some children develop a few skin neurofibromas at an earlier age.

Can you donate blood if you have neurofibromatosis?

Must not donate if:

Neurofibromatosis is an inherited condition that causes tumours (swellings) on nerve tissue. These tumours are usually not cancerous but occasionally may become malignant. If they are in the brain they may cause epilepsy.

Can NF1 be prevented?

Can neurofibromatosis be prevented or avoided? You cannot avoid NF. You can have genetic testing to see if you carry the gene.

Can neurofibromatosis turn cancerous?

The lifetime risk of cancer developing in a person with NF1 is estimated to be about 7%. This generally happens when a benign (non-cancerous) neurofibroma turns into a cancerous form called sarcoma, which grows much faster, invades nearby structures, and sometimes metastasizes (spreads) to other areas of the body.