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What is Hypotonia?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Hypotonia is a medical term used to describe decreased muscle tone. People with hypotonia have limited resistance to movement, which causes their bodies to become soft and floppy. In a classic example of hypotonia, an infant lifted from the armpits will slide out of the parent's hands, because his or her arms don't have enough muscle tone for the infant to hold itself up. This condition usually occurs as part of another medical condition, although it can also appear on its own.

Most cases of hypotonia occur in infants, although lack of muscle tone can appear at any time in life. The condition may be the result of a congenital disease such as Tay-Sachs or muscular dystrophy, or an acquired condition, like rickets, hypothyroidism, or encephalitis. In all cases, the limbs pose minimal resistance when they are pulled into flexed positions, and the patient is unable to fully flex his or her limbs.

Babies suffering from muscular dystrophy may require enteral feeding.
Babies suffering from muscular dystrophy may require enteral feeding.

It can be difficult to narrow down the cause of hypotonia, especially in young patients. In some cases, it reflects a neurological problem which can occur anywhere in the brain or spinal cord, but it can also be caused by a myopathy, a problem with the muscles themselves. In cases where the cause is not evident, the condition may be known as “benign congenital hypotonia,” although in fact hypotonia is not always benign in nature.

Healthy babies who are born without hypotonia gradually acquire the muscle tone they need to hold themselves up.
Healthy babies who are born without hypotonia gradually acquire the muscle tone they need to hold themselves up.

People with hypotonia experience poor muscle control, and they can have difficulty chewing, swallowing, and talking. The condition may be severe enough to prevent the patient from walking and engaging in other physical activities, and it can become progressively worse over time if the patient is not given adequate supportive care.

When a patient is diagnosed with hypotonia, a doctor will usually recommend consulting a neurologist, along with other medical specialists who can narrow down the cause of the condition and offer treatment recommendations. Hypotonia cannot be cured, but it is possible to use physical therapy to help the patient cope and develop skills which can help him or her live independently. It may also be possible to make improvements in muscle tone with treatment which will help the patient enjoy a more active life.

Hypotonia may occur as the result of hypothyroidism.
Hypotonia may occur as the result of hypothyroidism.

If someone develops a sudden loss of muscle tone, he or she should be taken to the doctor for medical treatment, because the loss of muscle tone usually reflects an underlying medical problem. This is especially true in the case of infants, as infants cannot communicate with their parents about the symptoms they are experiencing, which means that parents need to be alert to symptoms which they observe in their children.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • Babies suffering from muscular dystrophy may require enteral feeding.
      By: sudok1
      Babies suffering from muscular dystrophy may require enteral feeding.
    • Healthy babies who are born without hypotonia gradually acquire the muscle tone they need to hold themselves up.
      By: Adam Borkowski
      Healthy babies who are born without hypotonia gradually acquire the muscle tone they need to hold themselves up.
    • Hypotonia may occur as the result of hypothyroidism.
      By: stockshoppe
      Hypotonia may occur as the result of hypothyroidism.
    • People with hypotonia may experience difficulty swallowing.
      By: thepoo
      People with hypotonia may experience difficulty swallowing.
    • Adults with hypotonia may recover enough strength and muscle control through physical therapy to walk independently.
      By: Monkey Business
      Adults with hypotonia may recover enough strength and muscle control through physical therapy to walk independently.
    • Consulting with a neurologist can help a patient with hypotonia determine the cause and proper treatment.
      By: Monkey Business
      Consulting with a neurologist can help a patient with hypotonia determine the cause and proper treatment.