A baby’s soft body may be a symptom of a more serious health problem; knowing how to recognize the signs
Hypotonia is the name of a condition characterized by a decrease in muscle tone. It is a hypotonic childas the name suggests, it is a child who suffers from hypotonia.
This is the time when the child becomes “softer” and does not have much resistance to movements or manipulations performed by parents and caregivers. And, if you think that this is a cause for concern, know that you are right: hypotonia is not a disease in itself, but a sign of a health problemwhich requires attention and adequate diagnosis.
How to Identify if My Baby is Hypotonic
The characteristic symptom of hypotonia is muscle weakness observed in the child. This lack of tone means that the child is unable to maintain a more stable body posture or move in a way that is considered normal.
Major warning signs include the inability to control the neck muscles, let the head “droop” frequentlyproblems with breastfeeding while breastfeeding, as well as difficulty bending the knees and elbows.
Always seek medical advice if you observe any of these conditions in your child.
What causes hypotonia?
In general, there are two main reasons why a child becomes hypotonic: one incomplete development of muscles or one neurological problem associated with a lack of oxygen in the brain or a situation of cerebral palsy.
It is essential to consider whether or not the child was born in a premature birth – if it is born prematurely, it could be hypotonia caused by incomplete muscle development. Neurological dysfunctions, however, require more prolonged care.
Only a doctor can provide a correct diagnosis of what is causing hypotonia. He or she may require several tests, both laboratory and imaging, to confirm the condition and the reason.
How to treat my hypotonic child
The treatment It depends on the underlying cause of hypotonia. If the baby is hypotonic due to prematurity, the natural development of muscle growth can resolve the condition after a few months of life.
If the cause is a neurological disorder, such as cerebral palsy, the condition may not resolve and may even get worse without proper treatment. In these cases, methods such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and (as the child grows) speech therapy can help minimize symptoms and their impact on daily life.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
