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Living with Multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome 1

A rare condition of the cells' energy centers (mitochondria) that affects the brain, muscles, lungs, and heart from infancy.

Understanding Multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome 1

Multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome 1 is a rare condition of the cells' energy-making parts (mitochondria) that starts in infancy.

This condition affects the brain, muscles, lungs, and sometimes the heart. Babies may have trouble gaining weight, low muscle tone, developmental delay, and loss of skills they had learned. Lung blood pressure can be high, and breathing may be affected. Brain scans may show changes in white matter.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Trouble gaining weight (failure to thrive)
  • Feeding difficulties
  • Delayed development
  • Loss of skills (developmental regression)
  • Muscle weakness and low muscle tone
  • High blood pressure in the lungs

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in NFU1 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation and MitoAction may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Expert lists: United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, MitoAction
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Should we have genetic testing for the NFU1 gene?
How can we support feeding and breathing?
Which specialists should be on my child's care team?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive, Mitochondrial
GenesNFU1

GARD lists changes in the NFU1 gene. It is listed as autosomal recessive, which means a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

GeneticNeurologicalInherited MetabolicMitochondrial

Also known as: fatal multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome caused by mutation in nfu1; mmds1; mmds1 - multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome type 1; multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome type 1; nfu1 (nfu1 iron-sulfur cluster scaffold) deficiency; nfu1 deficiency

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome 1GARD ID 17661 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

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