Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Café-au-lait spots are typically associated with which condition?

1. Neurofibromatosis

2. Precancerous lesions

3. More common in darker-skinned children

4. Wilson's disease

The correct answer is: Neurofibromatosis

Café-au-lait spots are pigmented lesions that are generally tan in color and can vary in the number and size. Their presence is most commonly associated with neurofibromatosis, specifically Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). In patients with NF1, café-au-lait spots are often one of the diagnostic criteria, with having six or more spots larger than 5 mm in diameter being a significant indicator of the condition. Neurofibromatosis itself is a genetic disorder characterized by the development of multiple benign tumors called neurofibromas. The identification of café-au-lait spots is crucial in the early diagnosis of NF1, as they can be one of the first clinical signs noted in childhood. This association makes it imperative for healthcare providers to recognize and monitor these spots during patient evaluations. While café-au-lait spots can occur in individuals with darker skin and may be more noticeable or common in certain populations, this aspect does not establish a medical condition. Other conditions, like Wilson's disease, do not primarily feature café-au-lait spots as a hallmark, and precancerous lesions would not typically be described this way. Therefore, the link between café-au-lait spots and neurofibromatosis is