Signs Of Leigh's Disease

Leigh's disease is a rare neurological condition usually seen in infants, although it can occasionally show up in older children or adults. It is a progressive disease, meaning it gets worse as time goes on. It is usually fatal a few years after symptoms first appear. The characteristic features of Leigh's disease are cognitive and motor decline. It can be diagnosed through MRIs, which show brain lesions, and genetic testing. A recessive genetic mutation causes Leigh's disease. Diagnostic testing can confirm the problem is Leigh's disease and not another brain condition with similar symptoms. Reveal Leigh's disease symptoms now.

Loss Of Head Control

By the age of six months, infants should have the strength and coordination to hold their heads up. After this age, a loss of head control is extremely concerning. It is also a cause for concern if an infant lacks any control over the head by the age of three or four months. This is one of the most noticeable early symptoms of Leigh's disease. It is an obvious sign there is something wrong with the infant's motor skills. The motor skills will only worsen as the disease progresses. This is because Leigh's disease inhibits energy production in the parts of the brain responsible for motor function.

Learn about another symptom of Leigh's disease associated with loss.

Loss Of Appetite

Another early symptom of Leigh's disease is a loss of appetite. An infant with the condition may show little interest in food. Alternatively, they may have difficulty eating due to a loss of motor skills. The infant may lack the ability to suck, for example. Nausea and vomiting are common at this stage of the disease as well, and this can contribute to the infant's lack of desire to eat. The term 'failure to thrive' may be used to describe an ongoing lack of appetite in an infant. This usually leads to weight loss or failure to gain a normal amount of weight.

Keep reading to get to know more symptoms of Leigh's disease now.