Congenital Hypotonia - Low Muscle Tone
Medical Problems
Obie Editorial Team
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.