Neurocutaneous syndromes is a term that refers to a group of genetic neurological (affecting the brain, spine, and peripheral nerves) disorders. The various kinds of neurocutaneous syndromes can cause tumors to grow inside the brain, spinal cord, organs, skin, and skeletal bones. The first symptoms most commonly noted in children are skin lesions, including birthmarks, tumors, and other growths.

The diseases are believed to arise from abnormal development of embryonic cells (primitive cells that are present in the earliest stages of an embryo's development) and can involve multiple organs in the body. Although there is no cure for these conditions, treatments are available that help to manage symptoms and complications.

What Are the Neurocutaneous Syndromes?
There are several neurocutaneous syndromes, but the most common ones that involve children include:

• neurofibromatosis, type 1 and 2 (NF1 and NF2)
• Sturge-Weber syndrome
• tuberous sclerosis (TS)
• ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T)
• von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL)

Not only do symptoms vary widely from condition to condition, but they also vary widely from child to child. Because neurocutaneous syndromes affect children in different ways, the full extent of these diseases - even if detected at birth - may only be revealed as the child grows up. The conditions are always lifelong, which means that educational, social, and physical problems must be managed throughout a child's life.

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