Hypotonia

Decreased muscle tone; Floppy infant

Hypotonia is often a sign of a worrisome problem. The condition can affect children or adults.

Infants with this problem seem floppy and feel like a "rag doll" when held. They rest with their elbows and knees loosely extended. Infants with normal tone tend to have flexed elbows and knees. They may have poor head control. The head may fall to the side, backward, or forward.

Infants with normal tone can be lifted with the adult's hands placed under the armpits. Hypotonic infants tend to slip between the hands.

Muscle tone and movement involve the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. Hypotonia may be a sign of a problem anywhere along the pathway that controls muscle movement. Causes may include:

• Brain damage, due to lack of oxygen before or right after birth, or problems with brain formation
• Disorders of the muscles, such as muscular dystrophy
• Disorders that affect the nerves that supply muscles
• Disorders that affect the ability of nerves to send messages to the muscles
• Infections

Genetic or chromosomal disorders, or defects that may cause brain and nerve damage include:

• Down syndrome
• Spinal muscular atrophy
• Prader-Willi syndrome
• Tay-Sachs disease
• Trisomy 13

Other disorders that can lead to the condition include:

• Achondroplasia
• Being born with hypothyroidism
• Marfan syndrome
• Poisons or toxins
• Spinal cord injuries that occur around the time of birth
  

Take extra care when lifting and carrying a person with hypotonia to avoid causing an injury.

The physical exam will include a detailed examination of the nervous system and muscle function.

In most cases, a neurologist (specialist in brain and nerves) will help evaluate the problem. Geneticists may help diagnose certain disorders. If there are also other medical problems, a number of different specialists will help care for the child.

Which diagnostic tests are done depends on the suspected cause of the hypotonia. Most of the conditions associated with hypotonia also cause other symptoms that can help in the diagnosis.

Many of these disorders require ongoing care and support.