Learn About Hypotonia

What is the definition of Hypotonia?

Hypotonia means decreased muscle tone.

What are the alternative names for Hypotonia?

Decreased muscle tone; Floppy infant

What is some background information about Hypotonia?

Hypotonia is often a sign of a worrisome problem. The condition can affect children or adults.

Infants with this problem seem floppy and feel like a "rag doll" when held. They rest with their elbows and knees loosely extended. Infants with normal tone tend to have flexed elbows and knees. They may have poor head control. The head may fall to the side, backward, or forward.

Infants with normal tone can be lifted with the adult's hands placed under the armpits. Hypotonic infants tend to slip between the hands.

What are the causes of Hypotonia?

Muscle tone and movement involve the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. Hypotonia may be a sign of a problem anywhere along the pathway that controls muscle movement. Causes may include:

  • Brain damage, due to lack of oxygen before or right after birth, or problems with brain formation
  • Disorders of the muscles, such as muscular dystrophy
  • Disorders that affect the nerves that supply muscles
  • Disorders that affect the ability of nerves to send messages to the muscles
  • Infections

Genetic or chromosomal disorders, or defects that may cause brain and nerve damage include:

  • Down syndrome
  • Spinal muscular atrophy
  • Prader-Willi syndrome
  • Tay-Sachs disease
  • Trisomy 13

Other disorders that can lead to the condition include:

  • Achondroplasia
  • Being born with hypothyroidism
  • Poisons or toxins
  • Spinal cord injuries that occur around the time of birth
How do I perform a home exam for a Hypotonia?

Take extra care when lifting and carrying a person with hypotonia to avoid causing an injury.

What should I expect during a doctor appointment?

Your health care provider will do a physical exam including a detailed examination of the nervous system and muscle function.

In most cases, a neurologist (specialist in brain and nerve disorders) will help evaluate the problem. Geneticists may help diagnose certain disorders. If there are also other medical problems, a number of different specialists will help care for the child.

Which diagnostic tests are done depends on the suspected cause of the hypotonia. Most of the conditions associated with hypotonia also cause other symptoms that can help make the diagnosis.

Many of these disorders require ongoing care and support. Physical therapy may be recommended to help children improve their development.

Who are the top Hypotonia Local Doctors?
Medical Genetics
Medical Genetics
200 Henry Clay Ave, Suite 2308, 
New Orleans, LA 
 108.7 mi
Accepting New Patients

Regina Zambrano is a Medical Genetics provider in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Zambrano and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypotonia. Her top areas of expertise are X-Linked Chondrodysplasia Punctata 2, Chondrodysplasia Punctata Syndrome, Hypotonia, and Split Hand Foot Malformation. Dr. Zambrano is currently accepting new patients.

Pediatric Endocrinology | Pediatrics
Pediatric Endocrinology | Pediatrics
1541 Kings Hwy, 
Shreveport, LA 
 188.0 mi
Accepting New Patients

Jayalakshmi Bhat is a Pediatric Endocrinologist and a Pediatrics provider in Shreveport, Louisiana. Dr. Bhat and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypotonia. Her top areas of expertise are Menkes Disease, Milk-Alkali Syndrome, Hypercalcemia, and Hypotonia. Dr. Bhat is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Pediatric Cardiology | Cardiology | Pediatrics
Pediatric Cardiology | Cardiology | Pediatrics
1315 Jefferson Hwy, 
New Orleans, LA 
 107.1 mi
Offers Telehealth

Diego Lara is a Pediatric Cardiologist and a Cardiologist in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Lara and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypotonia. His top areas of expertise are Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), Mitral Atresia, Pediatric Myocarditis, and Aplasia Cutis Congenita.

What are the latest Hypotonia Clinical Trials?
An Open-label, Multiple-dose Clinical Study to Evaluating the Safety, Tolerability and Preliminary Efficacy of a Single Intracerebroventricular Injection of HG204 for the Treatment of MECP2 Duplication Syndrome

Summary: Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) is a dosage-sensitive, X-linked gene critical for central nervous system development and functional maintenance, which gain-of-function causes MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS). Affecting primarily in males, this disorder is characterized by severe intellectual disability, motor dysfunction, infantile hypotonia, epilepsy, respiratory tract infections, and premat...

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Neurogenetic Disorders: A Longitudinal Study on Natural History and Intervention Strategies

Summary: The purpose of this study is to analyze patterns in individuals with hnRNP (and other) genetic variants, including their neurological comorbidities, other medical problems and any treatment. The investigators will maintain an ongoing database of medical data that is otherwise being collected for routine medical care. The investigators will also collect data prospectively in the form of questionnai...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: December 31, 2023
Published By: Anna C. Edens Hurst, MD, MS, Associate Professor in Medical Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Barkoudah E. Encephalopathies In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 638.

Burnette WB. Hypotonic (floppy) infant. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 30.

Manzur AY. Evaluation and investigation of neuromuscular disorders. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 647.

Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM. Weakness and hypotonia. In: Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM, eds. Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2023:chap 182.