Gastrointestinal complications of mitochondrial disease.
The clinical presentation of mitochondrial disease can involve a number of organ systems which are seemingly unrelated. Gastrointestinal manifestations are often an early presentation of mitochondrial disorders. Dysphagia, feeding difficulties, gastroesophageal reflux, dysmotility with delayed gastric emptying, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, diarrhea and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency are amongst the major complications. Neuromuscular dysfunction affecting peristalsis is a common pathophysiologic mechanism causing many of these symptoms and treatment is primarily supportive.
Hom
Xenia B
XB
Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA. xhom@chsd.org
Lavine
Joel E
JE