Following is some info about Mito from www.mda.org
Definition - a group of diseases that affect the mitochondria, tiny energy factories found inside almost all cells, and interfere with the function of muscles. The group is comprised of Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS) ; Leigh's syndrome ; mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MDS) ; mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and strokelike episodes (MELAS) ; myoclonus epilepsy with ragged red fibers (MERRF) ; mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) ; neuropathy, ataxia and retinitis pigmentosa (NARP) ; Pearson syndrome; and progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO).
Cause - a defect in either a mitochondrial gene or a gene in the cell nucleus that affects the functioning of the mitochondria
Onset - varies according to disease
Symptoms - vary according to disease; in general, nervous system impairment, eye problems, cardiac abnormalities, skeletal muscle abnormalities, and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract
Progression - varies according to disease
Inheritance - if defect is in a mitochondrial gene, inheritance is from mother only; if in a nuclear gene, it depends on the gene and is not restricted to maternal inheritance
I've been researching Mito for some time now since I always felt that he had this disease. The closest I can come to a specific diagnosis is NARP and Leigh's Disease.
NARP: Neuropathy, ataxia and retinitis pigmentosa
Onset: Infancy or childhood
Disease characteristics: May cause vision problems, lack of coordination and mental retardation. This syndrome may represent a less severe form of MILS.
Leigh's syndrome: Subacute necrotizing encephalomyopathy
Onset: Infancy; progression can be fast or slow.
Disease characteristics: May cause brain abnormalities, vomiting, seizures, feeding difficulties, heart problems, epilepsy, speech difficulties and muscle weakness.
I'll list some links that have important information for Mito and chILD.
