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Category FAQs Search : Leigh Syndrome (Leigh’s Disease)

Question: What are the complications of Leigh syndrome (Leigh’s disease)?

Answer: Leigh syndrome can lead to a buildup of lactic acid in your child’s bloodstream, causing lactic acidosis. Your body makes lactic acid when oxygen levels in cells get too low to aid metabolism (the breakdown of carbohydrates into energy). There may also be too much carbon dioxide in their blood.

Lactic acidosis and increased levels of carbon dioxide can lead to:

1. Breathing problems like shortness of breath (dyspnea), apnea (pauses in breathing) and abnormal or rapid breathing (hyperventilation).
2. Heart problems like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickened heart muscle).
3. Kidney problems.

(Source: Cleveland Clinic, 21 Nov 2025)

Source Link: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6037-leigh-syndrome-leighs-disease