[Mitochondrial encephalomyopathies starting in childhood and adolescence].

INTRODUCTION

In this chapter we carry out a review of the current basic clinical and diagnostic aspects of mitochondrial cytopathies due to deficiencies in the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, which appear clinically during childhood and/or adolescence.

DEVELOPMENT: The description has been divided into two groups: mitochondrial cytopathies secondary to alterations of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and mitochondrial cytopathies secondary to alterations of the nuclear DNA (nDNA).

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude by considering the importance of such conditions at this age.