Hypotonia
Alternative Names
Decreased muscle tone; Floppy infantHome Care
Extra care must be taken when lifting and carrying a person with hypotonia to avoid causing an injury.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your pediatrician if your child appears floppy, especially if he or she previously seemed to have normal muscle control.
The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the patient's family and medical history, including:
- When did you first notice the decreased muscle tone?
- Was it seem at birth?
- Did it develop suddenly or slowly?
- Have you ever noticed a pattern to the behavior (is it always the same or is it worse at certain times)?
- What other symptoms are present?
The physical examination will probably include a detailed nervous system and muscle function examination.
Diagnostic tests will vary depending on the suspected cause of the hypotonia. Most of the conditions associated with hypotonia also cause other symptoms that together will suggest a particular disorder.
References
Yeh PC, Kipp MA. A case of Moebius syndrome in association with Klinefelter syndrome. Ophthalmic Genet. 2002 Sep;23(3):185-9.
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