Hypotonic cerebral palsy is a rare but debilitating form of the condition, caused by brain injury or infection during prenatal development. Symptoms include low muscle tone and difficulty controlling movement. Physical therapy can help manage symptoms, but most people need assistance with daily activities.
Cerebral palsy is a general term for many different deformities and disorders of the nervous system that are usually present at birth. Hypotonic cerebral palsy is one of the least common forms of the condition, but it is often one of the most debilitating. Babies born with hypotonic cerebral palsy have very little muscle tone and are unable to control movement of the head, arms, or legs. Physical therapy and ongoing medical care can help manage some symptoms, but most people living with the disorder need a great deal of assistance to carry out daily activities.
Most cases of hypotonic cerebral palsy are the result of brain injury or infection acquired during prenatal development. A mother who has a serious infection, such as rubella or measles, can transfer it to her fetus. Birth defects of the spinal cord, premature birth, or oxygen deprivation during labor can also affect the brain’s ability to regulate muscle development and movement. Rarely, severe brain injury acquired in the first year of life can cause hypotonic symptoms.
When a baby is born with severe hypotonic cerebral palsy, the signs are usually apparent right away. Most newborns have some difficulty moving their heads, but babies with hypotonic conditions have completely floppy necks. Doctors often use the term rag doll to describe severely hypotonic children who show no control over their necks, legs, or arms. If the symptoms are not so severe, the condition can be diagnosed after a series of reflex, breathing and swallowing tests.
Depending on the degree of muscle involvement, a child may need to stay in an intensive care unit for several weeks or months. Babies who are able to breathe and swallow with minimal assistance may be allowed to go home. As children continue to develop, muscle tone problems become more common. They are typically small and frail and have considerable difficulty learning to speak and swallowing solid foods. Intelligence is not usually affected by hypotonic cerebral palsy, but communication problems can impair a child’s ability to learn.
Older children, adolescents, and adults living with hypotonic cerebral palsy may benefit from regular physical therapy. Trained therapists help patients learn how to use arm braces and motorized wheelchairs to maintain some degree of independence. Specialized exercise programs are designed to strengthen existing muscles as much as possible. Many patients are able to control their arms well enough to dress, but often still need assistance with eating.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
