An Approach to Hypotonia in Children

Abstract

Hypotonia, a common pediatric symptom, results from either diffuse disease of the central nervous system or involvement of the peripheral nervous system. Central hypotonia should be suspected when there is a history of neonatal trauma, infection, or previous maternal illness or drug exposure. It also is associated with some metabolic and chromosomal abnormalities. In peripheral hypotonia, electromyography will differentiate between myopathic and neurogenic diseases, and muscle biopsy will establish the specific diagnosis.