Clinical characteristics and mutation Spectrum of NF1 in 12 Chinese families with orbital/periorbital plexiform Neurofibromatosis type 1

BACKGROUND: Orbital/periorbital plexiform neurofibroma (OPPN) can compromise physical appearance and visual function. However, the clinical characteristics and NF1 mutation landscape in patients with heritable OPPN have not been reported. METHODS: The medical charts of 26 Chinese patients with OPPN from 12 families were reviewed. Mutation analysis of the entire coding region and flanking splice sites of the NF1 gene was performed using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Novel NF1 mutations were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Compared to the parental generation, a significantly larger proportion of OPPN patients in the successive generation presented with earlier onset (p = 0.001), amblyopia (p = 0.034), motility disorders (p = 0.009) and bony orbital expansion (p = 0.019). Six novel NF1 mutations were identified in 11 (91.67%) families, including 6 (42.9%) single-base substitutions, 4 (28.5%) splicing mutations, 3 (21.4%) frameshift deletions, and 1 (7.14%) intron mutation. CONCLUSIONS: The successive generation of OPPN patients presented with earlier onset and exhibited more severe ocular signs than did their parents or grandparents. Special attention should be paid to successive generations of OPPN patients. Considering that 6 mutations were novel, comprehensive NF1 mutation analysis is required or necessary or proposed for genetic counselling. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s12881-019-0877-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.