Facts about Mitochondria

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What are mitochondria and what do they do?

• Mitochondria function as batteries that produce more than 90% of the energy in your body’s cells.
• Mitochondria are really important in high-energy demanding organs such as your heart, liver, muscles and brain.
• 40% of each heart muscle cell and 25% of each liver cell are made up of mitochondria.

About mitochondrial disorder

• Every 30 minutes, a child is born who will develop a mitochondrial disorder or disease by age 10.
• Mitochondrial disease affects at least 1 in every 4,300 people globally.
• When mitochondria fail, less and less energy is generated within cells. This can lead to cell damage or disease.
• Mitochondrial disease is a chronic, genetic disorder that occurs when mitochondria fails to produce enough energy for that cell or organ to function.

Mitochondrial dysfunction: the search for a cure

• Physicians and researchers have only known about mitochondrial disease for about 30 years.
• The most important next steps in helping people with mitochondrial disorders are developing better tests and individualized treatments.
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is determined to lead the way in making sure no child suffers in the dark from mitochondrial dysfunction.