What is mitochondrial disease as Oliver is diagnosed in Coronation Street? – Metro.co.uk

Steve McDonald and Leanne Tilsley will get devastating news about Olivers condition. (Picture: ITV)

There are tough scenes ahead in Coronation Street tonight as it becomes apparent Olivers condition is much worse than first thought and the young boy is diagnosed with mitochondrial disease.

Oliver is sedated and later taken for a brain scan, before the doctor explains the next step is to run genetic blood tests.

Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) and Leanne Tilsley (Jane Danson) then learn their son might have mitochondrial disease and are broken by the news.

But what is mitochondrial disease and how is it treated?

Mitochondrial diseases are a group of disorders that are caused by genetic mutations where someones mitochondria in their cells do not produce enough energy.

The symptoms and severity of mitochondrial disease vary hugely depending on the patient but at present, there is no cure for the disease.

Parts of the body that tend to be affected by the disease are those that commonly have the highest energy demands, such as muscles, the liver, heart, kidney and the brain.

While there is no cure for mitochondrial disease, doctors can treat symptoms of the disease, such as prescribing medication to help with seizures such as the ones that Oliver has been depicted as suffering in Coronation Street.

Symptoms vary depending on the organ(s) affected but may include seizures, atypical cerebral palsy, autistic features, developmental problems, fainting and temperature instability.

One in 4,000 people are estimated to have a genetically confirmed primary mitochondrial disease, yet many remain undiagnosed and the illness can affect babies, children and adults.

According to United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, the prognosis depends upon the severity of the disease and other criteria.

As more research funds are raised to find more effective treatments and ultimately a cure, some of the affected children and adults are living fairly normal lives with mitochondrial disease.

In other cases, children may not be able to see, hear, talk or walk. Affected children may not survive beyond their teenage years.

Adult onset can result in drastic changes from an active lifestyle to a debilitating ilness is a short amount of time.

Treatment plans vary from patient to patient but involve therapies, diet changes and other means to try and slow the progress of the disease.

Find out more about the disease on the NHS website.

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What is mitochondrial disease as Oliver is diagnosed in Coronation Street? - Metro.co.uk