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Hypotonia means decreased muscle tone.
Alternative NamesDecreased muscle tone; Floppy infant
ConsiderationsHypotonia is often a sign of a worrisome problem. The condition can affect children or adults.
Infants with hypotonia seem floppy and feel like a "rag doll" when held. They rest with their elbows and knees loosely extended, while infants with normal tone tend to have flexed elbows and knees. They may have poor or no head control. The head may fall to the side, backward, or forward.
Infants with normal tone can be lifted with the parent's hands placed under the armpits. Hypotonic infants tend to slip between the hands as the infant's arms rise without resistance.
Common CausesMuscle 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 or encephalopathy, due to:
- Lack of oxygen before or right after birth
- Problems with brain formation
- Disorders of the muscles, such as muscular dystrophy
- Disorders that affect the nerves that supply muscles (called motor neuron disorders)
- Disorders that affect the ability of nerves to send messages to the muscles:
- Infant botulism
- Myasthenia gravis
- Inborn errors of metabolism (rare genetic disorders in which the body cannot properly turn food into energy)
- Infections
- Other genetic or chromosomal disorders or defects that cause brain and nerve damage, such as:
- Down syndrome
- Prader-Willi syndrome
- Tay-Sachs disease
- Trisomy 13
- Other miscellaneous disorders:
- Achondroplasia
- Congenital hypothyroidism
- Congenital cerebellar ataxia
- Marfan syndrome
- Poisons or toxins
- Spinal cord injuries that occur around birth
Take extra care when lifting and carrying a person with hypotonia to avoid causing an injury.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe physical examination will probably include a detailed examination of the nervous system and muscle function.
A neurologist (specialist in brain and nerves) will usually 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.
ReferencesFenichel GM. The hypotonic (floppy) infant). In: Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel G, Jankovic J, eds. Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Butterworth-Heinemann Elsevier; 2008:chap 29.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 12/01/2011
John Goldenring, MD, MPH, JD, Pediatrician with the Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group, San Diego, CA. Review provided by Verimed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
What else can I help you with?
When does hypotonia occur?
When Your Born. You Cannot Develop Hypotonia/
Is Hypotonia contagious at all?
Hypotonia is a disorder in which the muscles are unable to properly stretch. As it is not affected by virus or bacteria, Hypotonia is not contagious at all.
What is the medical term meaning loss of muscle movement?
Means you have little muscle tissue. Actually the medical term you are looking for is: Atonic
Can people with hypotonia have Asperger's Syndrome?
Hypotonia is a term describing the condition of decreased muscle tone, also known as floppy infant syndrome. Some people with Asperger's Syndrome or autism have hypotonia. It is common for people with Asperger's Syndrome and autism to have some motor control or muscular difficulties, but not necessarily hypotonia. There are many conditions that can co-occur with hypotonia, such as Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, and cerebral palsy.
Is hypotonia related to muscular dystrophy?
Yes, hypotonia and muscular dystrophy are connected, but they’re not the same thing. Hypotonia just means low muscle tone. Kids with it might feel kind of floppy or weak—sometimes you notice they struggle to hold up their heads, sit, or walk. But hypotonia isn’t a disease; it’s a symptom. Muscular dystrophy, on the other hand, is a group of genetic diseases where muscles get weaker and break down over time. In fact, some types of muscular dystrophy—especially in kids—can show up first as hypotonia. Take these examples: Babies born with congenital muscular dystrophy often have severe hypotonia right from birth. Kids with Duchenne muscular dystrophy might seem weak or hit their motor milestones late. When a doctor sees low muscle tone, that’s sometimes the first clue that gets them looking deeper. Still, lots of other things besides muscular dystrophy can cause hypotonia, like genetic conditions, brain or nerve problems, certain metabolic issues, or just being born early. Some children just have a benign developmental delay and outgrow it. To figure out what’s going on, doctors use a bunch of tests. They’ll do a full physical and neurological exam, maybe check blood for muscle enzymes like CK or CPK, run genetic tests, look at MRI scans, or even suggest an EMG or muscle biopsy. Getting an early diagnosis matters. The right treatment and support can boost mobility, development, and make life a lot easier, depending on what’s causing the low muscle tone. Groups like MedicoExperts always stress catching these issues early and building a care team that covers all the bases for neuromuscular disorders.
What is the medical term meaning no development of muscle?
Hypotonia is low muscle tone and underdevelopment of the muscles. Other terms for the condition include: Low Muscle Tone Benign Congenital Hypotonia Congenital Hypotonia Congenital Muscle Hypotonia Congenital Muscle Weakness Amyotonia Congenita Floppy Baby Syndrome Infantile Hypotonia
How do you treat hypotonia?
Physical And/Or Occupational Therapy
Does hypotonia mean abnormally decreased muscle function or activity?
Hypotonia means abnormally decreased muscle tone;hypokinesia means abnormally decreased muscle activity.
What causes hypotonia in individuals?
Hypotonia in individuals is caused by a lack of muscle tone, which can be due to neurological conditions, genetic disorders, or certain medical conditions affecting the muscles or nerves.
What are the causes of hypotonia?
The causes of hypotonia are varied and numerous. Some involve trauma to, or diseases of, the brain or spinal cord (CNS), while others affect the peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junction, or the muscles themselves.
What condition in which three is diminished tone of the skeletal muscules?
The condition in which there is diminished tone of the skeletal muscle is hypotonia.
What are the key differences between hypertonia and hypotonia in terms of muscle tone and movement control?
Hypertonia is characterized by increased muscle tone and stiffness, leading to difficulty in movement control. On the other hand, hypotonia is marked by decreased muscle tone, resulting in poor muscle control and coordination.
