Can you help me understand low tone?

Cara03

LO had his 1 year post-discharge developmental & neurologic check today and the big talk was his "low muscle tone." Neither the physical therapist nor the neurologist really explained what this means and I am left feeling pretty confused. They did say that, "God made him that way" and he would have low tone even if he were a term baby. Really? I just did a quick google search and low tone seems linked to prematurity.

Anyway, I'm wondering what this really means for us. He's already in EI and they haven't said anything about it...so...what now? The neurologist also said, "Have him be a gymnast, not a runner." Like that explains it.

TIA

lemen99

I'm slightly confused - I think that low tone is a neurological thing (or can be?) and so preemies are probably  more likely to have muscle tone issues.  We recently found out Andrew has areas of low tone (and areas of high tone), in addition to his other issues (non-physical), all likely neurological (had level 2 and 4 brain bleeds at birth). I think this is common in preemies!

I think his comment about being a gymnast not a runner is because I think a child with low tone is more flexible than other kids.  Like Andrew W-sits constantly and to me it looks uncomfortable but it's like his tendons (muscles? not sure of the correct word) are stretched out.  

On the other hand, because of his low tone, he's clumsy.  He trips a LOT.  He is slow to develop walking and still can't run.  He is getting orthotics which will help but he probably won't be the most super coordinated kid ever either  

 

 

 

MaxandRuby

Think of low tone as sort of being floppy.  It means there really isn't any resistance in moving their arms, legs, etc.  This also means that your LO MAY be late in doing things like sitting up. 

FYI - for the pp who talked about W sitting, that is not a good way for anyone to sit as it is bad for the hips. All the PTs that DS2 has worked with has told us to change the sitting position if he goes to that pattern.

DS2 (late term preemie and currently 18mos) has cerebral palsy.  He has a mix of high and low tone.  His high tone is more in his arms and legs and his trunk is lower tone.  His arms and legs are stiffer (ex. I have to physically bend his legs during diaper changes most of the time).

lemen99

MaxandRuby:

Think of low tone as sort of being floppy.  It means there really isn't any resistance in moving their arms, legs, etc.  This also means that your LO MAY be late in doing things like sitting up. 

FYI - for the pp who talked about W sitting, that is not a good way for anyone to sit as it is bad for the hips. All the PTs that DS2 has worked with has told us to change the sitting position if he goes to that pattern.

DS2 (late term preemie and currently 18mos) has cerebral palsy.  He has a mix of high and low tone.  His high tone is more in his arms and legs and his trunk is lower tone.  His arms and legs are stiffer (ex. I have to physically bend his legs during diaper changes most of the time).

 

We do the same.  We tell him to "sit on your bottom!" Andrew has high tone in his calves and his trunk/thighs/neck/etc are weak.  

I wonder if Andrew has some form of CP with all his issues, but I don't know a lot about that diagnosis.

 

lujain

My DD has low tone (hypotonia).  I found the website for the Johns Hopkins Hypotonia Center helpful:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/geneticmedicine/Clinical_Resources/Hypotonia/Definition.html

TriciaJoy

floppy is a good way to describe it. It's basically too little resting tension in the muscles. Even when you are completely relaxed, your muscles are still "on alert" a bit to be ready to contract when needed. Our low tone guys (my former 26 weeker has issues in his gut & pelvis) are too relaxed which causes them to be a little delayed in responding.

Think of it like trying to go from sleeping to running w/o notice. You can do it, but you're probably going to be a little sloppy and clumsy until your muscles wake up and do what they're supposed to.