Mitochondrial Diseases in Children
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Effects
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Children with a mitochondrial disease will have muscle weakness, be uncoordinated and have vision and hearing problems.
Causes
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The cause of mitochondrial diseases is usually genetics. Children who have a mitochondrial disease might have genes for the disease inherited from a parent.
Identification
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To identify whether or not a child has a mitochondrial disease, a doctor will perform a family history, a physical and a neurological exam. The doctor will collect blood and urine samples and conduct an MRI.
Treatments
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There is no cure for mitochondrial diseases, but treatments reduce symptoms in some children. These treatments are vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants and dietary changes.
Prognosis
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The prognosis for children living with a mitochondrial disease varies for each child. With the proper treatment, the disease may progress slowly with minimal symptoms.
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