Hypotonia, Benign Congenital

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Hypotonia, Benign Congenital is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Benign congenital hypotonia (BCH) has been an outdated term since 1956, when the first congenital muscle disease, central core disease, was described. Now specific diagnoses can be made in most patients. As clinicians and researchers have gained greater understanding of neuromuscular diseases, the phrase has been dropped and replaced by names of specific neuromuscular disorders. Symptoms and findings associated with the group of neuromuscular disorders formerly known as benign congenital hypotonia include low muscle tone (hypotonia) at birth or in the first few months and general “floppiness” of muscles. Some of the disorders are non-progressive, which means that they do not increase in severity. Most improve over time but mild weakness persists into adulthood. Some of the disorders do progress in the adult years and may have associated problems.
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Resources

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
31 Center Drive
8A07
Bethesda, MD 20892-2540
Tel: (301)496-5751
Fax: (301)402-2186
Tel: (800)352-9424
Email: braininfo@ninds.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

Pathways Awareness Foundation
150 North Michigan Ave.,Ste.2100
Chicago, IL 60601
USA
Tel: 3128936620
Fax: 3128936621
Tel: 8003268154
TDD: 8003268154
Email: friends@pathwaysawareness.org
Internet: http://www.pathwaysawareness.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 4/17/2003
Copyright 1987, 1989, 1996, 2000, 2003 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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