Redefining MommyhoodJourney of a mom whose son is overcoming hypotonia

According to my mom, I was also a butt scooter like Luke. I never really crawled, but I started walking around 15 months, which is still considered late if you go by the book.

Our physical therapist mentioned one day that butt scooting is usually an indication that a person has low muscle tone. So, now I’m wondering if I maybe had it too, but not as bad as Luke. I have never been very athletic or had a lot of endurance. I managed to make it through basic training though:)

I’m just hopeful for Luke’s future. I hope that his hypotonia is something that he can overcome and eventually catch up to where he needs to be. It’s fine with me if he is never athletic, but I know this is something that would be more difficult for a boy to handle. He is already very smart, so I think he will be more studious than athletic anyway. Only time will tell us for sure.

For those who have no idea what I’m blabbing on about:

Alternative Names

Decreased muscle tone; Floppy infant

Definition

Hypotonia is decreased muscle tone.

Considerations

Hypotonia is often a sign of a worrisome problem. It may be a sign of a central nervous system problem, genetic disorder, or muscle disorder.

It can affect children or adults.

Infants with hypotonia seem floppy and feel like a “rag doll” does when held. They rest with their elbows and knees loosely extended, while infants with normal tone tend to have flexed elbows and knees. Head control may be poor or absent, with the head falling to the side, backward, or forward.

Infants with normal tone can be lifted with the parent’s hands placed under the armpits, while hypotonic infants tend to slip between the hands as the infant’s arms rise unresistingly upward.

Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003298.htm

One of the main reasons I wanted to start this blog is to share my experience with my son’s hypotonia, also known as low muscle tone.

He is a normal boy in every way except that he is 20 months old and is not yet walking. He can stand along tables etc when he wants to get at something. He just starting getting into a sitting position on his own in June (from laying down), and he just started to crawl about 2 weeks ago. His primary form of transportation since December has been “butt scooting.”

Luke has been in physical therapy through early intervention since May of this year. He has progressed quite well. His therapist is happy that he met her 6 month goals in only 3 months!

He has also been through various tests to rule out causes for the hypotonia. He has had an MRI done of the brain and lower spine, both were normal. He also had extensive bloodwork done to rule out metabolic disorders and genetic conditions. The only thing that showed up was a vitamin B12 deficiency, which may or may not cause hypotonia. He is taking a B12 supplement just in case. A trip to the orthopedic surgeon also ruled out anything wrong w/ his legs or hips. They did a hip xray to be certain.

I guess our only “diagnosis” from a doctor is hypotonia which really isn’t a diagnosis at all. My diagnosis is a subborn boy who will do things in his own time, no matter how frustrating it is for all involved:)

Phew!!! Ok, now that I’ve filled everyone one in on Luke’s medical background, it’s time to move on. He is still a normal (whatever that really means) toddler with the same issues etc. as others.