hypotonia
Reduced muscle tension
Hypotonia is abnormally low muscle tone, making muscles feel floppy or loose rather than firm.
The condition appears most often in infants, where it may signal neurological disorders, genetic conditions, or developmental delays.
A baby with hypotonia feels limp when held and has difficulty maintaining posture: The pediatrician noted hypotonia during the newborn exam.
Lacking rigidity, bending easily
- developmental delaySlower-than-typical milestone achievement
- feeding difficultiesImpaired ability to eat
- limpLacking firmness or rigidity
- failure to thriveInadequate childhood growth diagnosis
ragdoll · tummy time · early intervention · pediatric · infantile · hypermobility · W-sitting
Nerve-to-muscle signaling
- myopathyDisorder of muscle tissue
- dystrophyDegenerative tissue disorder
- motor neuronNerve cell activating muscles
- centralIn the middle, primary
muscular dystrophy · Down syndrome · cerebral palsy · ataxia · weakness · mitochondrial · genetic · axonal
Treatment restoring bodily function
- occupational therapyRestoring practical life abilities
- strengtheningIncreasing power or solidity
- positioningArranging in specific locations
- adaptive equipmentDevices modified for disabilities
orthotics · early intervention · stretching · core stability · mobility aids · bracing · splinting · aquatic therapy
Infant just delivered
- neonateInfant under 28 days
- pretermBefore expected arrival
- NICUIntensive care for newborns
- perinatalAround time of delivery
sepsis · prematurity · apnea · respiratory distress · ventilation · intubation · congenital · metabolic
floppy
Lacking rigidity, bending easily
- developmental delaySlower-than-typical milestone achievement
- feeding difficultiesImpaired ability to eat
- limpLacking firmness or rigidity
failure to thrive · ragdoll · tummy time · early intervention · pediatric · infantile · hypermobility · W-sitting
neuromuscular
Nerve-to-muscle signaling
- myopathyDisorder of muscle tissue
- dystrophyDegenerative tissue disorder
- motor neuronNerve cell activating muscles
central · muscular dystrophy · Down syndrome · cerebral palsy · ataxia · weakness · mitochondrial · genetic · axonal · denervation
physiotherapy
Treatment restoring bodily function
- occupational therapyRestoring practical life abilities
- strengtheningIncreasing power or solidity
- positioningArranging in specific locations
adaptive equipment · orthotics · early intervention · stretching · core stability · mobility aids · bracing · splinting · aquatic therapy · gross motor
newborn
Infant just delivered
perinatal · sepsis · prematurity · apnea · respiratory distress · ventilation · intubation · congenital · metabolic · chromosomal
- weaknessweakness, feebleness, frailty, debility, asthenia
- pediatric neurologyepilepsy, seizures, cerebral palsy, seizure, developmental delay
- Developmental Disordersautism spectrum, Down syndrome, intellectual disability, learning disability, learning disorder
- nerve symptomsweakness, muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, paralysis
- reflex disordersclonus, sucking reflex
- child developmentbaby, toddler, newborn, infancy, milestones
hypotoniahypertonia
Pathological muscle tightness
spasticity · rigidity · muscle stiffness · dystonia · clonus