What you need to know
Medical Needs:
- Challenges to maintain health in people with mitochondrial disorder
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Dysmotility
- Dysphagia (inability to swallow)
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Ataxia
- Reflux
- Temperature control
- Cold stress: Exposure to cold can result in severe heat loss and trigger an energy crisis
- Heat stress: Especially in those individuals who can’t sweat normally
- Avoid toxins
- Cigarettes
- Drugs
- Alcohol
Dietary:
Children with mitochondrial disorder need to have a diet with good nutrition to promote growth, development, and energy production. The diet should provide enough protein, vitamins and mineral, and hydration. It is extremely important to AVOID fasting.
- Small frequent meals may be better than a typical 3-meal-a-day routine for some children.
What you can do
General guidelines:
- A yearly check-up and studies as needed should occur in the child’s Medical Home.
- Be aware of any changes in behavior or mood that seem unusual and notify the parents.
- It is important to be aware of any academic changes. Contact parents when any differences are noticed.
- Be aware, or ask parents, if the child has a medical alert bracelet.
- School age children with may have multiple doctors and specialist visits to monitor medical conditions.
- Dietary Guidelines
- 4-6 small meals
- Include a complex carbohydrate and protein at each meal
- Maintain healthy weight
- Avoid fasting
- Vitamins and mineral may help improve mitochondrial function
- Temperature control
- Wear weather appropriate clothing
- Avoid extreme cold and heat
- Be aware of heat stroke and heat exhaustion
- Consider air conditioning
- Avoid exposure to illness