Clinical Characteristics of Multiple Café-Au-Lait Macules and Their Potential Significance in the Early Screening of Genetic Diseases

Tong Chen,1– 3 Jiamin Wu,1 Xin Yang,2 Zhikuan Xia,1,2 Rongya Yang1,2 1The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Dermatology, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100080...

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Main Authors: Chen T, Wu J, Yang X, Xia Z, Yang R
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2025-05-01
Series:Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology
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Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/clinical-characteristics-of-multiple-caf-au-lait-macules-and-their-pot-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CCID
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author Chen T
Wu J
Yang X
Xia Z
Yang R
author_facet Chen T
Wu J
Yang X
Xia Z
Yang R
author_sort Chen T
collection DOAJ
description Tong Chen,1– 3 Jiamin Wu,1 Xin Yang,2 Zhikuan Xia,1,2 Rongya Yang1,2 1The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Dermatology, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100080, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Dermatology, Longgang Central Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518116, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Rongya Yang, Email drYangRongya@outlook.com; yangrya@sina.com Zhikuan Xia, Email drXiaZhikuan@outlook.com; sum7@sina.comBackground: Café-au-lait macules (CALMs) are common skin manifestations, and their number and distribution may indicate potential genetic disorders, such as Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of multiple CALMs and their significance in the early screening of genetic disorders.Methods: This retrospective study included 98 patients diagnosed between May 2021 and May 2024 in two hospitals. Patients were divided into three groups based on the number of CALMs and whether other skin manifestations were present: Group 1 (≥ 6 CALMs with other skin manifestations), Group 2 (≥ 6 CALMs without other skin manifestations), and Group 3 (< 6 CALMs without other skin manifestations). Detailed clinical evaluations and imaging examinations were conducted to record the number, size, distribution of CALMs, and associated symptoms. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship between CALMs and other systemic symptoms.Results: Group 1 patients showed significantly higher incidences of neurological symptoms (eg, neurofibromas 54%, P < 0.001) and skeletal system symptoms (eg, bone deformities 38%, P = 0.001) compared to Groups 2 and 3. Imaging examinations revealed an abnormality rate of 90% in Group 1 (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the number of CALMs (≥ 10) was significantly associated with neurological (OR = 7.664, P = 0.001) and skeletal system symptoms (OR = 4.623, P = 0.014). The distribution of CALMs on the face and neck also showed a certain influence on symptoms.Conclusion: The number and distribution of CALMs are significant in the early screening of genetic diseases, particularly in identifying patients with potential neurological and skeletal system abnormalities.Keywords: café-au-lait macules, neurofibromatosis type 1, genetic disorders, early screening
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spelling doaj-art-d0ecd64d8e0445ce9b07fee90c295c0e2025-08-20T03:29:49ZengDove Medical PressClinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology1178-70152025-05-01Volume 18Issue 113391347103410Clinical Characteristics of Multiple Café-Au-Lait Macules and Their Potential Significance in the Early Screening of Genetic DiseasesChen T0Wu J1Yang X2Xia Z3Yang R4The Second School of Clinical MedicineThe Second School of Clinical MedicineDepartment of DermatologyThe Second School of Clinical MedicineThe Second School of Clinical MedicineTong Chen,1– 3 Jiamin Wu,1 Xin Yang,2 Zhikuan Xia,1,2 Rongya Yang1,2 1The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Dermatology, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100080, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Dermatology, Longgang Central Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518116, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Rongya Yang, Email drYangRongya@outlook.com; yangrya@sina.com Zhikuan Xia, Email drXiaZhikuan@outlook.com; sum7@sina.comBackground: Café-au-lait macules (CALMs) are common skin manifestations, and their number and distribution may indicate potential genetic disorders, such as Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of multiple CALMs and their significance in the early screening of genetic disorders.Methods: This retrospective study included 98 patients diagnosed between May 2021 and May 2024 in two hospitals. Patients were divided into three groups based on the number of CALMs and whether other skin manifestations were present: Group 1 (≥ 6 CALMs with other skin manifestations), Group 2 (≥ 6 CALMs without other skin manifestations), and Group 3 (< 6 CALMs without other skin manifestations). Detailed clinical evaluations and imaging examinations were conducted to record the number, size, distribution of CALMs, and associated symptoms. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship between CALMs and other systemic symptoms.Results: Group 1 patients showed significantly higher incidences of neurological symptoms (eg, neurofibromas 54%, P < 0.001) and skeletal system symptoms (eg, bone deformities 38%, P = 0.001) compared to Groups 2 and 3. Imaging examinations revealed an abnormality rate of 90% in Group 1 (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the number of CALMs (≥ 10) was significantly associated with neurological (OR = 7.664, P = 0.001) and skeletal system symptoms (OR = 4.623, P = 0.014). The distribution of CALMs on the face and neck also showed a certain influence on symptoms.Conclusion: The number and distribution of CALMs are significant in the early screening of genetic diseases, particularly in identifying patients with potential neurological and skeletal system abnormalities.Keywords: café-au-lait macules, neurofibromatosis type 1, genetic disorders, early screeninghttps://www.dovepress.com/clinical-characteristics-of-multiple-caf-au-lait-macules-and-their-pot-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CCIDCafé-au-lait maculesNeurofibromatosis Type 1genetic disordersearly screening
spellingShingle Chen T
Wu J
Yang X
Xia Z
Yang R
Clinical Characteristics of Multiple Café-Au-Lait Macules and Their Potential Significance in the Early Screening of Genetic Diseases
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology
Café-au-lait macules
Neurofibromatosis Type 1
genetic disorders
early screening
title Clinical Characteristics of Multiple Café-Au-Lait Macules and Their Potential Significance in the Early Screening of Genetic Diseases
title_full Clinical Characteristics of Multiple Café-Au-Lait Macules and Their Potential Significance in the Early Screening of Genetic Diseases
title_fullStr Clinical Characteristics of Multiple Café-Au-Lait Macules and Their Potential Significance in the Early Screening of Genetic Diseases
title_full_unstemmed Clinical Characteristics of Multiple Café-Au-Lait Macules and Their Potential Significance in the Early Screening of Genetic Diseases
title_short Clinical Characteristics of Multiple Café-Au-Lait Macules and Their Potential Significance in the Early Screening of Genetic Diseases
title_sort clinical characteristics of multiple caf amp eacute au lait macules and their potential significance in the early screening of genetic diseases
topic Café-au-lait macules
Neurofibromatosis Type 1
genetic disorders
early screening
url https://www.dovepress.com/clinical-characteristics-of-multiple-caf-au-lait-macules-and-their-pot-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CCID
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