Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) is a relatively frequent autosomal dominant disorder with different manifestations from mild cosmetic problems to severe disease requiring multidisciplinary treatment. THE AIM of our study was lo analyze types of disorders in paediatric population of NF1 patients treated in the Children's Memorial Health Institute and to present the schedule of care adopted in our institution.
Material and methods: Medical records of 130 children, 70 girls and 60 boys aged from 1 year to 20 years 3 ms treated in the Children's Memorial Health Institute were analyzed. Type of mutation (familial or sporadic), age at diagnosis, type and frequency of disorders in the whole group of patients and in the familial and sporadic types were assessed.
Results: The familial type of NF1 was found in 58 patients, among whom there were, 23 patients from 10 families. It was sporadic in 40 pts and in 32 the type of mutation is unknown. The age at diagnosis ranged from 3 months to 17 years, median 6 years. The most frequent disorders were: T2-weighted hyperintensities of the white matter in 77 pts (59%), schooling problems in 60 pts (46%), skeletal deformations in 49 pts (37%), dysmorphia in 39 pts (30%), hyperactivity in 34 pts (26%), epilepsy in 29 pts (22%). There was a correlation between white matter hyperintensities and the presence of optic nerves gliomas (71%), schooling problems (58%), hyperactivity (77%) and dysarthria (85%). In 65 pts (53%) optic nerve gliomas were found, 45 patients required treatment. Plexiform neurofibroma requiring treatment was found in 25 pts (19%,), 6 had intraspinal penetration and in 4 spine compression was observed. Two patients were diagnosed with ganglioneuroma. Malignant tumours were found in 7 pts (5%), with a prevalence of soft tissues sarcomas. Skeletal disorders occurred more frequently in tNFl sporadic type than in familial cases (p=0.05). Based on our experience a management protocol was formulated. At the time of diagnosis this includes examination by the oncologist, neurologist, ophthalmologist, geneticist and additional investigations: abdominal ultrasound, chest X-rays, MR of the brain; found disorders indicate further consultations and studies. The check-up should be repeated annually and include all previous studies that revealed any abnormalities.
Conclusions: 1. Diagnosis of NF1 is delayed until complications of the disease occur. 2. In the studied group skeletal disorders were more frequent in the sporadic than in the familial type. 3. The paediatric population with NF1 varies from the adult NF1 patients in type of disorders, diagnostic and treatment requirements. Therefore there is a need for different care standards in the two groups. 4. The knowledge about NF1 and the standards of care should be transferred to general practitioners in order to diagnose these patients early and to refer them to specialized centres.