Problems with infant muscle tone

Proven content

Increased or decreased muscle tone in an infant is not necessarily a symptom that must cause anxiety in parents. It should be borne in mind that the muscle tension in an infant may increase in the first months of a child’s life, so you should not panic right away. The situation changes when the infant’s muscular tension affects his motor development. What to do in this situation? What symptoms should alarm a parent?

Muscle tension in an infant – symptoms

The concept of the Apgar scale functions in neonatology – it defines, among other things, the muscle tone, i.e. muscle tension in the newborn. The maximum number of points on the Apgar scale means that the child shows all normal life functions. However, sometimes it turns out to be some time after giving birth muscle tension in an infant it’s changing. This can be manifested by the baby having difficulty lifting the head, the muscles being overly tense, or the fists tightening in such a way that they are difficult to open. A child in whom the doctor notices excessive muscle tension, can straighten the legs, rises too rapidly or does not show the correct motor activities that should appear at a given moment of development.

Disturbed muscle tension in an infant It can also be manifested by too much agitation of the child or a poor reaction to stimuli, crying, anxiety, but also difficulties with eating. The child is tense, clearly tense. A symptom disorders muscle tension in an infant there may also be a lack of facial expressions, the so-called sloppy hands and laxity.

Muscle tension in an infant – causes

Disorders muscle tension in an infant it has really unclear causes and may be due to many factors. Sometimes at the root of the disorder muscle tension in an infant there may be diseases that the mother suffered from during pregnancy. This can certainly include anemia, hypertension, the appearance of premature labor contractions – impaired muscle tension it affects premature babies more often than full-term babies. Complications during labor, such as the umbilical cord getting wrapped around the baby’s neck, can also contribute to a disability. muscle tension in an infant later. Infants who have had a variety of infections after birth, such as pneumonia, may also be at increased risk of developing disorders. muscle tension.

Infant Muscle Tension – Treatment

However, please note that changes to an infant’s muscle tension it may be because the child simply has to adapt to life outside the mother’s body. Not always weakened or increased muscle tension must suggest an infant’s illness. Sometimes it is because of a disturbed sense of comfort and security, or because the child is simply hungry, thirsty or sleepy. It should be remembered that a child who is healthy makes free, unlimited movements, while moving all parts of the body. A healthy child shows normal motor development, the progress of which is noticeable day by day, and pays attention to new things, focusing attention on them. If the pediatrician determines that the child has a disorder muscle tension, will recommend movement exercises or cooperation with a physiotherapist.

Muscle tension in an infant – prognosis

Due to the fact that the causes of the disorder muscle tension it’s really hard to see, you should watch the child. If it is clear that something is wrong with the baby, it is worth consulting a pediatrician and a physiotherapist who will advise parents on what steps should be taken to support the proper development of the child. It should be remembered that despite a specific developmental framework, each child develops at its own pace. Therefore, it is worth emphasizing once again how important it is in this case to observe the child.

Muscle tension in an infant – prevention

As for the application of prophylaxis, first of all, before a planned pregnancy, you should carefully check for correctness in the circulatory system, because fetal hypoxia may be a direct cause of disorders muscle tension in an infant.