Children born with hypotonia have low muscle tone and lower than average strength. Most children are not born with hypotonia, but develop it as a result of some other disorder or disease. Weakness of muscles and lack of strength are difficult to live with, but are not life threatening side effects. Patients diagnosed with the condition early are more apt to find treatment and relief form hypotonia.
Infants born with some congenital disorders are more likely to suffer from hypotonia. These congenital conditions include Down’s syndrome, Krabbe disease, Marfan’s syndrome and Spinal-Muscular Atrophy. Hypotonia can also develop as a result of a muscle weakening disease such as Muscular dystrophy.
Infections may also leave a child with hypotonia. The most common infection culprits include Encephalitis, Infant botulism and sepsis. Infants may appear flopping or dropping when held by parents, which is why the condition has been called floppy baby syndrome or floppy infant syndrome.
Physical and occupational therapy should greatly reduce the effect of the disorder on infants, children and adults.