Neurofibromatosis in Nigerian children.

A study of 14 children with multiple neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausen's disease) seen at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital within a six-year period (1979-1985) has been conducted. Eight patients were boys and six were girls. The youngest was aged 3 months. The cafe-au-lait spots that were observed in all these patients showed poor color contrast, thus making this condition not easily discernible in infancy and an early diagnosis difficult. These spots are perhaps better called "cafe-sans-lait" or blackish-brown spots in the African patient. Hyperpigmented patches were observed in eight (57 percent) patients and multiple, grotesque, soft tissue swellings were observed in ten (71 percent) others. Prolonged follow-up is mandatory in these patients so as to provide them with a better quality of life.