There are children who are going blind and have the risk of dying from cancer without their parents knowing it. This is because doctors are reportedly overlooking some crucial early warning signs of a genetic condition, called neurofibromatosis (NF1).
"NF1 is linked to multiple 'cafe au lait' (CAL) marks on the skin, and if children have six or more before the age of five, they are likely to have the condition...", as Daily Mail reports.
Neurofibromatosis (NF), as defined by KidsHealth From Nemours, is a neurocutaneous syndrome that can affect some parts of the body, which may include most of the nervous system organs such as the brain, nerves, and spinal cord. It may also affect the skin and other body systems. NF is also responsible for the growth of non-cancerous (benign) tumors that develop in the nerves and brain.
The tumors, according to National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), are still not completely known but seem to be linked mainly to mutations in genes that are involved in suppressing cell growth in the nervous system.
The symptoms of NF1 are usually manifested as freckling in the armpit, Lisch nodules, skin abnormalities-café-au-lait spots, neurofibromas, and and groin-are, which are often seen at birth or shortly afterwards and also always by the time a child is 10 years old. NINDS says that "the features of these disorders are age dependent, a definitive diagnosis may take several years."
In Britain, one in every 2,500 babies born suffer from NF1. Many times, the medical practitioners see the signs early at the baby's birth but ironically, they easily dismiss them as birthmarks.
Medicine is today is still imperfect and you do not really know how your baby would come out. Will he or she be healthy and no defect at all? It is best to seek medical attention at any signs or symptoms that you suspect may be an abnormality or may put your kids health at risk.
