What are café-au-lait spots?
Café-au-lait (CAL) spots are pigmented birthmarks that appear as patches on your skin with a light to dark brown color that differs from the tone of the rest of your skin. The term “café-au-lait” means “coffee with milk” in French, which refers to the color of the birthmark, comparing it to the creamy tone of a cup of coffee mixed with milk. These birthmarks can range from a few millimeters to more than 20 centimeters in diameter.
CAL spots are present on newborn babies or show up on the skin early during childhood. They can also develop on adults.
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What are the different types of café-au-lait spots?
There are two types of café-au-lait (CAL) spots identified by their shape and pattern.
- Coast of California: The coast of California is the most common type of CAL spot. The spot has clear, smooth borders on all sides, similar to the outline of the state of California’s coast in the U.S. There can be a single spot or multiple CAL spots with clearly defined borders.
- Coast of Maine: The coast of Maine is a less common type of CAL spot. The spots appear to have a rough, jagged border similar to the coastal border for the state of Maine in the U.S.
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If you have multiple coast of California CAL spots, visit your healthcare provider. Multiple CAL spots could indicate an underlying condition, like neurofibromatosis (NF1) or other genetic syndromes, which affect your skin and nervous system.
Who do café-au-lait spots affect?
Café-au-lait (CAL) spots can affect anyone. The birthmark is congenital (present at birth), although it may be hard to see on a newborn baby’s skin. The spots become more visible with age, especially after two years.
CAL spots are more prevalent among people with darker skin tones, but birthmarks can appear on anyone.
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Some CAL spots relate to genetic conditions where they are an inherited trait in your family history. To better understand your risk of having a child with a genetic condition, talk to your healthcare provider about genetic testing.
How common are café-au-lait spots?
Café-au-lait (CAL) spots are common among children. An estimated 10% of the population has at least one CAL spot.
More than six CAL spots are present on an estimated 95% of people diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).
How do café-au-lait spots affect my child’s body?
Café-au-lait (CAL) spots are benign (noncancerous), harmless and will not affect your child’s body. If your child has more than six CAL spots, visit your healthcare provider because multiple CAL spots can be a sign of an underlying genetic condition.
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