Multiple café au lait spots on the skin are most commonly associated with which condition?

Multiple café au lait spots on the skin are most commonly associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). This condition is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the NF1 gene, which is a tumor suppressor gene responsible for the production of neurofibromin. Individuals with NF1 frequently exhibit a characteristic set of skin findings, including multiple café au lait macules, which are flat, light brown spots. The presence of six or more café au lait spots, each greater than 5 mm in diameter in prepubertal individuals or greater than 15 mm in postpubertal individuals, is one of the diagnostic criteria for NF1.

In addition to café au lait spots, NF1 is associated with other features such as axillary freckling, Lisch nodules (iris hamartomas), and various benign and malignant tumors, particularly neurofibromas. This distinctive presentation differentiates NF1 from other conditions that also feature café au lait spots.

In contrast, conditions like Sturge-Weber syndrome, Albright's syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis may present with other skin manifestations or neurological symptoms, but they are not typically characterized by the specific combination and number of café au lait spots seen in NF1. Thus