Acquired coenzyme Q10 deficiency in children with recurrent food intolerance and allergies

The current study evaluated 23 children (ages 2-16 years) with recurrent food intolerance and allergies for CoQ10 deficiency and mitochondrial abnormalities. Muscle biopsies were tested for CoQ10 levels, pathology, and mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) activities. Group 2 (age >10 years; n=9) subjects had significantly decreased muscle CoQ10 than Group 1 (age <10 y; n=14) subjects (p = 0.001) and 16 controls (p<0.05). MRC activities were significantly lower in Group 2 than in Group 1 (p<0.05). Muscle CoQ10 levels in study subjects were significantly correlated with duration of illness (adjusted r(2) = 0.69; p=0.012: n=23). Children with recurrent food intolerance and allergies may acquire CoQ10 deficiency with disease progression. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. and Mitochondria Research Society. All rights reserved.