For some people, the term hypotonia may still be very unfamiliar. Hypotonia is a condition where the baby’s muscles (affected by the brain and nerves) are very weak.
Hypotonic babies usually have problems with their motor and sensory development. Here is a complete explanation of hypotonic babies.
Understanding Hypotonia in Babies
Hypotonia means poor muscle tone. Sometimes termed muscle tone syndrome.floppy.
Launching the pageCleveland Clinic, hypotonia and muscle weakness are two different things. Muscle weakness is a lack of strength in a person’s muscles, and is often a symptom associated with hypotonia.
It is usually detectable at birth or during infancy, although it can appear at any age, including adults. The signs are easy to recognize because they affect muscle strength, motor nerves, and the brain, namely when the baby is born looking limp, like a rag doll, and unable to bend his knees and elbows.
Hypotonia can be a condition in itself that is not associated with any other health problems – this is calledbenign congenital hypotonia(benign congenital hypotonia) or an indication of another problem in which there is progressive loss of muscle tone, such as muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy (cerebral palsy). So to be able to get the right diagnosis results, it is a challenge for doctors, because each cause shows different symptoms of hypotonia.
The following are the characteristics of a hypotonic baby:
- When held, a baby with hypotonia shows body gestures thatfloppyor like a “rag doll”.
- These babies are likely to experience certain fine and gross motor development delays. For example, being able to lift their head when you put them on their stomach (tummy time) on your stomach, balancing his body while learning to sit or trying to stay seated without falling.
- There is a tendency for dislocation of the hips, jaw and neck.
- Some children with hypotonia may have difficulty eating, and they may also be unable to suck or chew for long periods of time.
- Having problems with speech or exhibiting shallow breathing.
Causes of Hypotonia in Babies
Source: Freepik
Hypotonia is generally triggered by problems with the nervous system or muscular system where there is a ‘communication’ error between the pathways that control movement connecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. It occurs during fetal development in the womb.
Other causes include infections and lack of oxygen before or shortly after birth. However, there are also those caused by injury, disease, or congenital abnormalities. In other cases, the cause is never identified.
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy can help your child gain muscle tone and stay on track with development.
Besidesbenign congenital hypotonia,Hypotonia can also be caused by several diseases or disorders that affect the brain, central nervous system, genetic disorders or muscle disorders. These conditions include:
- Down syndrome
- muscular dystrophy
- cerebral palsy
- Prader-Willi Syndrome
- Myotonic dystrophy
- Marfan Syndrome
- DiseaseTay Sachs
- Achondroplasia
- Spinal muscular atrophyor spinal muscular atrophy
- Trisomy 13
- Williams syndrome
Other conditions that can cause hypotonia include:
Knowing the cause of hypotonia must be clear so that the doctor can provide the right treatment.
Symptoms of Hypotonia
Source: Freepik
The following are common symptoms associated with hypotonia. Each baby may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause of the problem. These include:
- The baby cannot lift his head or control his neck muscles.
- The baby looks weak when held.
- Unable to put weight on his feet.
- The baby’s arms and legs hang straight at his side without bending at the elbows or knees.
- Having difficulty swallowing or sucking.
- Crying weakly.
- Shows muscle weakness.
- Shallow breathing
- Mouth open with tongue sticking out (less active gag reflex).
Hypotonic babies also experience developmental delays that affect their motor skills, including sitting upright, crawling, walking, saying their first words, learning to feed themselves.
There are several types of hypotonia that are not progressive and of unknown origin. This is what was previously called benign congenital hypotonia. The symptoms are as follows:
- Central nervous system function and intelligence in normal children.
- No developmental delays.
- Some children have gross motor skills such as sitting, walking, running, and jumping. However, they are slower than most other normal children.
Some other signs and symptoms of hypotonia are similar to health conditions related to muscle problems. So to confirm the diagnosis, you need to consult a pediatrician.
How Often Does Hypotonia Happen in Babies?
Hypotonia is the most common condition affecting a newborn’s motor skills. Its incidence is currently unknown, as hypotonia is often a symptom of another condition.
If the baby experiences hypotoniabenign congenital hypotonia,This disease can be identified as a disability. Because, it affects the way a person performs their daily tasks.
However, if hypotonia is diagnosed as a symptom, then it is not a disability. Another thing, hypotonia does not affect a person’s intellectual abilities.
Diagnosis of Hypotonia
Hypotonia is usually diagnosed early in a baby’s life before the age of six months. Initial suspicion is usually related to muscle weakness that your baby is experiencing.
The specialist will perform several tests to diagnose the cause of muscle weakness in babies. Once the diagnosis is made, several treatment programs, including physical therapy programs, will be given to your baby.
First of all, the doctor will check the family and child’s medical history.
Second, a physical examination that includes muscle function and a detailed neurological examination.
Third, a neurological examination can be performed with instruments, such as a light and reflex hammer, and is usually painless for the child.
From there the doctor will make an assessment of:
- Assessment of motor skills (grasping, rolling, sitting) and sensory (vision, hearing, touch).
- Balance and coordination.
- Mental status (the child’s level of awareness and interaction with the environment).
- Reflex.
- Nerve function.
As a consideration and to ensure the diagnosis, here are some tests that the doctor might perform on the patient, according to…Children Hospital:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI): A diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of a large magnet, radiofrequency, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures inside the body. This test is done to rule out disorders involving the spinal cord and nerves.
- CComputerized Tomography Scan(CT Scan): A diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional (often called “sliced”) images, both horizontally and vertically, of a patient’s body. A CT scan shows detailed images of every part of the body, including bones, muscles, fat, and organs. A CT scan is more detailed than a regular x-ray.
- Blood test
- Electromyogram(EMG): A test used to evaluate nerve and muscle function.
- Electroencephalogram(EEG): A test that measures electrical activity in the brain through small button electrodes placed on the child’s scalp.
- Spinal tapor lumbar puncture. This is a spinal tap performed to measure the amount of pressure in the spinal canal and/or to remove a small amount of cerebral spinal fluid (Cerebrospinal fluid/CSF) for testing. CSF is the fluid that bathes a child’s brain and spinal cord.
- Karyotype: This is a blood test to analyze chromosomes which is used to determine whether the problem is due to a genetic disorder or not.
- Muscle biopsy(muscle biopsy), which is taking a sample of muscle tissue to be examined under a microscope.
How to Treat Hypotonia in Babies
Specific treatment for hypotonia will be determined by a pediatrician based on:
- Child’s age, overall health, and medical history
- How far is the condition now?
- The underlying cause of the condition
- Child’s tolerance to certain medications, procedures, or therapies
- Your opinion or preference
According to Children’s Hospital, there is no specific therapy needed to treat benign congenital hypotonia. However, children with this condition may periodically need treatment for common events associated with hypotonia, such as recurrent joint dislocations.
Treatment programs to help improve muscle strength and sensory and fine motor stimulation programs are carried out once the cause of the child’s hypotonia is known. These programs usually involve physical therapy through early interventions, such as sitting upright, walking, or participating in sports.
Prevention of Hypotonia in Babies
Source: Freepik
Can the risk of having a hypotonic baby be reduced or prevented?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, there is no way to prevent hypotonia because it is often a symptom of an underlying condition, which can be genetic.
Genetic conditions cannot be prevented. If Parentshave a history of the same disease and are planning to get pregnant, it is a good idea to consult about the risks of having a child with a genetic condition and do a genetic test.
However, if you are already pregnant, follow your obstetrician’s advice regarding preventing premature labor by:
- Follow your doctor’s guidance on recommended activities during pregnancy.
- Avoid cigarette smoke and do not use drugs.
- Eat foods with balanced nutrition.
- Taking care of yourself and treating any underlying health conditions that may affect the outcome of your pregnancy.
Thus, Mom, the explanation about hypotonia babies. Hopefully this article is useful for you.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
