Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Christian Medical College,
Ludhiana, Punjab, India | Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of
Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India | Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatric Centre,
Chandigarh, India
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Monika Sharma, Department of Pediatrics,
Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. Tel.: +91 9814861205;
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Mitochondria are important intracellular organelles that are widely
distributed and have a central role in metabolic activity. Production of
adenosine triphosphate by oxidative phosphorylation, is the principal function
of mitochondria. Defects of mitochondrial metabolism cause a wide range of
human diseases. They may present as single or multisystem disease at any age.
Treatment of mitochondrial disorders is a challenge, as there is only
symptomatic therapy available. As few randomized and controlled studies are
published, much of the experience of the treatment of mitochondrial disease is
based upon anecdotal reports and small case series, which demonstrate effect of
some of the measures available. In this paper, we review the various treatments
studied and practiced in the context of mitochondrial disorders. We will also
outline the evidence in favor or against them.
