The Role Of Mitochondrial Diseases In Children

Mitochondrial Diseases are very diverse. Specialized organelles in every cell of the body (only red blood cells lack mitochondria). Mitochondria generate more than 90% of the energy required by the body. Mitochondrial dysfunction depletes cells of energy causing cell damage and even cell death. Due to the high energy requirements of brain and muscle, mitochondrial disease typically affect these parts of the body causing Brain and Muscle disease. Other organs are frequently affected including: eye, ears, heart, liver, gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney, endocrine system, and blood.
The diseases predominantly affect children, but adult-onset disorders are being recognized with increasing frequency. Mitochondria are unique organelles because