Hypotonus in infants means reduced, lethargic muscle tension. Young parents should not be frightened by this term, because in most cases this condition is not a disease. It's just a syndrome that can be easily corrected. However, it can also be caused by serious pathologies, which requires a differentiated approach to therapy.
Main causes and signs
The cause of hypotension of muscles in the baby can be the following factors:
- birth trauma , asphyxia;
- impetuous childbirth;
- malnutrition;
- multiple pregnancies ;
- the transferred diseases during bearing of the kid;
- alcohol abuse, taking drugs, smoking and stress during pregnancy.
In addition to the above, this condition occurs with certain diseases. For example:
- disorders of blood circulation of the brain or muscles;
- pathology of the endocrine system (hypothyroidism);
- chromosomal diseases (Down syndrome);
- congenital myopathies;
- muscular dystrophy;
- myasthenia gravis;
- polio;
- Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Always in the detection of a violation of muscle tone, it is necessary to exclude these diseases.
Now let's figure out how to determine the hypotension in a baby, because a timely call to a doctor will help to cope with the disease more quickly. First of all, attention is drawn to the hypotonicity of the hands of the baby, while they lie sluggishly along the trunk, absolutely relaxed. The palms are opened, which is not typical for the usual posture of the baby. Also observed is the so-called "frog pose", in which lying on the back, the legs unfold, almost completely touching the surface.
Consequences and therapeutic tactics
The consequences of hypotension in infants are quite serious.
- Different massage techniques. Usually massage movements begin with strokes and rubbing, then go to a deeper and more intense muscle training.
- Gymnastics. It can be in passive and active form, and also water procedures, swimming, will be effective.