Mitochondrial diseases result from the failure of these tiny "powerhouses." When the mitochondria fail, less and less energy is generated within our cells. Cell injury and even cell death follow. Mitochondrial disorders are associated with a wide spectrum of diseases.

Mitochondrial disease can lead to a myriad of symptoms, including muscle weakness, susceptibility to infection, growth and developmental delays, neurological problems, and gastrointestinal disorders. The condition is considered a metabolic disorder, since it impacts the body's ability to produce, store, and transfer energy.

Mitochondrial diseases take on unique characteristics both because of the way the diseases are often inherited and because mitochondria are so critical to cell function. Diagnosis of mitochondrial disease is complicated by the fact that mutations usually are found in only a fraction of the mitochondrial genomes in a given cell.

Mitochondrial Disease is, at heart, a disease of energy deficiency. The mitochondria; tiny organelles living inside our cells, are responsible for converting food and oxygen into energy. The incidence affects about 1 in every 3000-4000 people.