Neurofibromatosis, or NF 1, is a devastating disorder that causes tumors to grow on all types of nerves. It can result in a wide realm of medical challenges from brain tumors, spinal tumors, chronic pain, physical differences, as well as learning disabilities. It is a genetic disorder that strikes one in 4,000 births.
Both forms of NF are autosomal dominant genetic disorders which may be inherited from a parent who has NF or may be the result of a new or spontaneous mutation (change) in the sperm or egg cell. Each child of a parent with NF has a 50% chance of inheriting the gene and developing NF. The type of NF inherited by the child is always the same as that of the affected parent (i.e. if the parent has NF1, each child is at 50% risk for NF1. If the parent has NF2, each child has a 50% chance to inherit NF2), although the severity and the kind of manifestations may differ from person to person within a family.
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