Overview
Hypotonia is an abnormal neurological sign in newborn or older infants, and may suggest central nervous system dysfunction, genetic disorders, or muscle disorders. Infants with hypotonia rest with their elbows and knees loosely extended. Infants with normal tone tend to have slightly bent elbows and knees. Head control may be poor or absent in children with hypotonia with the head falling to the side, backward, or forward.
Review Date 12/31/2023
Updated by: Anna C. Edens Hurst, MD, MS, Associate Professor in Medical Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.