What is hypotonia in children

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Hypotonia, or poor muscle tone, usually detected at birth or during infancy. It is a condition also known as flaccid muscle syndrome. Hypotonia in infants causes them to appear limp at birth and unable to keep their knees and elbows bent. Many different diseases and disorders cause the symptoms of hypotonia. It is easily recognizable because it affects muscle strength, motor nerves, and the brain.

However, diagnosing the disease or disorder that is causing the problem can be tricky. Because of this difficulty, your child may continue to have difficulties with feeding and their motor skills as it grows.

Signs and causes of hypotonia in children

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Depending on the underlying cause, hypotonia can appear at any age. Some of the signs of hypotonia in infants and children are:

  • No or poor head control
  • Delayed development of gross motor skills, such as crawling
  • Delayed development of fine motor skills, such as picking things up

Problems with the nervous system or the muscular system can trigger hypotonia. Sometimes it is the result of an inherited injury, disease or disorder. In other cases, the cause is never identified. Some children are born with hypotonia that is not related to a separate condition. This is known as benign congenital hypotonia.

Physical, occupational and speech therapy can help your child gain muscle tone and keep up with their development. Some children with benign congenital hypotonia have minor developmental delays or learning problems. These disabilities may continue throughout childhood.

Rarely, this condition is caused by botulism infections or by contact with poisons or toxins. However, the hypotonia often disappears when the child recovers. Hypotonia can be caused by conditions that affect the brain, central nervous system, or muscles. In many cases, these chronic conditions They require lifelong care and treatment. These conditions can be:

  • Cerebral palsy
  • Brain damage, which can be caused by a lack of oxygen at birth
  • Muscular dystrophy

But hypotonia can also be caused by cgenetic conditions on the table:


For children with Down syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome, therapy is often beneficial. Children with Tay-Sachs disease and trisomy 13 They tend to have shorter lives.

When to see a doctor?

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It is usual to diagnose hypotonia at birth. In some cases, however, the child's condition may not be noticed until they are somewhat older. One indicator is that the child does not meet developmental milestones for his or her age. Therefore, if you see that your child is not progressing in this aspect, you should discuss it with your pediatrician as soon as possible, as well as any other concerns you have about his progress.

The doctor will evaluate the child's development and perform tests if he is not sure. He may do blood tests, MRIs, and CT scans. On the other hand, if you notice sudden signs of the condition in a person of any age, it is appropriate to seek urgent medical attention.

Treatment and future perspective of hypotonia in children

Treatment changes depending on the severity of the child. The child's general health and her ability to participate in therapies will shape a treatment plan. Some children frequently work with physical therapists. Depending on the child's abilities, they can work toward specific goals, such as sitting up, walking, or participating in sports. In other cases, the child may need help coordinating her and other fine motor skills.

Children with severe conditions may need wheelchairs to get around. Because this condition causes the joints to become very loose, it is common to have joint dislocations. Braces and casts can help prevent and correct these injuries.

La future perspective depends on the following factors:

  • The underlying cause of this condition
  • The years of the child
  • The severity of your condition
  • The muscles that are affected

Having hypotonia can be challenging. It is often a lifelong condition, and the child will need to learn coping mechanisms, so may also need psychological therapy. Nevertheless, His life is not in danger, except in cases of motor neuron or cerebellar dysfunction.


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