Coping with Hypotonia

What Is It?

Hypotonia is a condition in which the patient has poor or decreased muscle tone. This is not the same as muscle weakness; however, patients with hypotonia often do have weaker muscles. With hypotonia, the brain fails to transmit the proper electrical signals to the muscles that tell them to contract. Hypotonia may be present in varying degrees of severity. It can be caused by a wide range of diseases and conditions, including muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, trauma, and genetic disorders.

What Does This Mean For My Child?

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Early Recognition and Intervention is the Key to Recovery for Hypotonia

 by Shannon Munro Cohen, RNC, BSN; Teresa Whitt, Ph.D.

For more information about this disorder, visit the Benign Congenital Hypotonia website at http://www.lightlink.com/vulcan/benign/index.htm.

Abstract

Benign congenital hypotonia (BCH) is a nonprogressive neuromuscular disorder that is present at birth. Children with BCH exhibit decreased muscle tone with varying degrees of severity. Hypotonia affects many areas of a child’s life leading to developmental delays that include cognitive development.
Early collaborative intervention for the child with hypotonia is imperative. Supportive treatment aids in meeting developmental milestones as educators are involved in the essential work of encouraging cognitive development. Through the development of Individualized Family Service Plans, educators improve the chance for success. Early intervention programs are the key to optimal outcomes for children with hypotonia.

The following is a very brief overview of the topic presented by Shannon Munro Cohen at "Overcoming Great Barriers", the 6th annual International Association of Special Education Conference in Sydney, Australia July 18-22, 1999.

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Information About Infant Hypotonia

Hypotonia impacts a baby's postural control and motor learning. Therapeutic positioning and activities can help babies and toddlers with low muscle tone to develop gross, fine and oral motor skills.

What is Hypotonia?
The term “hypotonia” is used to describe the condition of low muscle that is associated with various developmental disabilities such as Downs, Fragile X Syndrome and some types of cerebral palsy. Sometimes the term is used alone as a diagnosis when the child has motor delays that impact function. However, hypotonia is not a medical disorder but rather a symptom associated with decreased strength and postural control.

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Developmental Delay and Hypotonia

Sometimes children will be referred to us for Developmental Delay or Hypotonia where the parent and/or the pediatrician notices that the child is late in attaining the motor milestones suggested by the standardized norms. Often there is not another diagnosis that would explain why the child is progressing slowly. Parents are often and understandably confused as to the difference between Developmental Delay and Hypotonia. While Hypotonia frequently results in developmental delay, it is not necessarily the cause of all developmental delay. Here we will discuss developmental delay due to the most common cause, hypotonia.

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A Guide to Dealing with Babies and Toddlers With Hypotonia

Special needs infants and toddlers with hypotonia may vary according to the age group. Read on to find out what is hypotonia?

Introduction

Hypotonia is one of the disorders that hinder the growth of an infant. Early detection and treatment are the best possible option to help children lead a normal life. This article gives the parents/ teachers a general awareness about this disorder and the special needs infants and toddlers with hypotonia will need.
What is Hypotonia and the Causes

Generally, hypotonia is low muscle tone. Due to the muscle weakness such infants can’t maintain an upright position. In some cases the symptoms are apparent, as the hypotonic infants do not have proper head control. There are hypotonic children, that seem perfectly strong and may exhibit efficiency in running and jumping, but they may get tired, lacking the stamina to be engaged in hectic activities.

Proper muscle movement needs a healthy brain, nerves, spinal cord and muscles. The damages to any of these may result in hypotonia. Besides, some genetic disorders can cause hypotonia in newborn babies. Though a severe case of hypotonia is not curable, it can be controlled with the help of a pediatrician and neurologist.

How to Deal with Hypotonic Infants and Toddlers.

Usually, infants and toddlers with hypotonia may lag behind in motor skills, speaking and language abilities. Proper monitoring is needed to correctly diagnose the field in which the infants lag behind. The activities for hypotonic infants should be designed to increase the muscle movements and sensory developments. Infants and toddlers with hypotonia should be given support to improve their motor skills by strengthening their muscles. Allow them to play with their peers; they should run, jump and play ball. They may get exhausted and so easily distracted from activities. It is effective to follow a flexible routine, if you see a hypotonic infant tired, lead him to a quieter activity.

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Hypotonia

Hypotonia is a state of low muscle tone [1] (the amount of tension or resistance to movement in a muscle), often involving reduced muscle strength. Hypotonia is not a specific medical disorder, but a potential manifestation of many different diseases and disorders that affect motor nerve control by the brain or muscle strength. Recognizing hypotonia, even in early infancy, is usually relatively straightforward, but diagnosing the underlying cause can be difficult and often unsuccessful. The long-term effects of hypotonia on a child's development and later life depend primarily on the severity of the muscle weakness and the nature of the cause. Some disorders have a specific treatment but the principal treatment for most hypotonia of idiopathic or neurologic cause is physical therapy and/or occupational therapy for remidiation.

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