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Home | Special Needs |
Mitochondrial Disease
Mitochondrial diseases are a group of progressive metabolic, often neurological, disorders that result from defects in the mitochondria, which are in almost every type of cell in the body. Mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90% of the energy needed to sustain life and support growth. Mitochondrial failure results in energy deprivation within the cells. Cell injury and even cell death follow. If this process is repeated throughout the body, whole systems begin to fail, and the affected person's life is severely compromised. The disease primarily affects children, but adult onset is becoming increasingly common.
Diseases of the mitochondria appear to cause the most damage to organs requiring high energy levels including: brain, heart, liver, skeletal muscles, kidney, eyes, and the endocrine and respiratory systems.
Mitochondrial disorders are notorious for not following a set pattern. It is not uncommon for patients to first be misdiagnosed with another disorder. Symptoms can begin at any age. Depending on which cells are affected, symptoms may include: loss of motor control, muscle weakness and pain, gastro-intestinal disorders and swallowing difficulties, poor growth, cardiac disease, liver disease, diabetes, respiratory complications, seizures, visual/hearing problems, lactic acidosis, developmental delays, autism, and susceptibility to infection.
Mitochondrial disorders are not always physiologically obvious. Intelligence can range from gifted to profoundly retarded. Children with fewer affected mitochondria may be mislabeled as lazy, uncooperative, or underachievers. At the beginning of the school day, for example, they may appear energetic and focused. But as the day progresses, their small reserve of energy evaporates and they are unable to complete the same tasks as their classmates. These children may also be labeled as mildly retarded because of their slowness, when in reality they may be merely fatigued.
K12 Academics Mitochondrial Disease Community: Click to join the Mitochondrial Disease community discussions.
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- Education Topics
- Achievement Gap
- Alternative Education
- Assessment & Evaluation
- Educational Leadership
- Educational Philosophy
- Educational Research
- Educational Technology
- Educational Videos
- Education Economics
- Education Environment
- Education Issues
- Education Policy
- Education Psychology
- Education Reform
- Education Theory
- Education Worldwide
- Federal Education Legislation
- Homeless Education
- Homeschooling in the United States
- Migrant Education
- Neglected/Deliquent Students
- Pedagogy
- Sociology of Education
- Special Needs
- National Directories
- After School Programs
- Alternative Schools
- The Arts
- At-Risk Students
- Camps
- Camp Services
- Colleges & Universities
- Counties
- Driving Schools
- Educational Businesses
- Financial Aid
- Higher Education
- International Programs
- Jewish Community Centers
- K-12 Schools
- Language Studies
- Libraries
- Organizations
- Preschools
- Professional Development
- Prom Services
- School Assemblies
- School Districts
- School Field Trips
- School Health
- School Supplies
- School Travel
- School Vendors
- Schools Worldwide
- Special Education
- Special Needs
- Study Abroad
- Teaching Abroad
- Volunteer Programs
- Youth Sports
- For Schools
- Academic Standards
- Assembly Programs
- Blue Ribbon Schools Program
- Educational Accreditation
- Educational Television Channels
- Education in the United States
- History of Education in the United States
- Reading Education in the U.S.
- School Grades
- School Meal Programs
- School Types
- School Uniforms
- Special Education in the United States
- Systems of Formal Education
- U.S. Education Legislation
- For Teachers
- Academic Dishonesty
- Childcare State Licensing Requirements
- Classroom Management
- Education Subjects
- Educational Videos
- Interdisciplinary Teaching
- Job and Interview Tips
- Lesson Plans | Grades
- Professional Development
- State Curriculum Standards
- Substitute Teaching
- Teacher Salary
- Teacher Training Programs
- Teaching Methods
- Training and Certification
- For Students
- Academic Competitions
- Admissions Testing
- At-Risk Students
- Career Planning
- College Admissions
- Drivers License
- Educational Programs
- Educational Television
- Educational Videos
- High School Dropouts
- Higher Education
- School Health
- Senior Proms
- Sex Education
- Standardized Testing
- Student Financial Aid
- Student Television Stations
- Summer Learning Loss