Multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome type 4

A rare, severe, genetic, neurometabolic disease characterized by infantile-onset of progressive neurodevelopmental regression, optic atrophy with nystagmus and diffuse white matter disease. Affected individuals usually have central hypotonia that progresses to limb spasticity and hyperreflexia, eventually resulting in a vegetative state. Recurrent chest infections are frequently associated and seizures (usually generalized tonic-clonic) may occasionally be observed. Brain magnetic resonance imaging shows diffuse bilateral symmetric abnormalities in the cerebral periventricular white matter, with variable lesions in other areas but sparing the basal ganglia.