The causes of hypotonia can be broadly classified into central and peripheral etiologies. Central causes are related to the brain and spinal cord, while peripheral causes involve the muscles, nerves, and neuromuscular junctions. Some common causes include:
1. Genetic Disorders: Conditions like Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and various forms of muscular dystrophy can present with hypotonia. 2. Metabolic Disorders: Disorders like hypothyroidism and mitochondrial diseases can lead to muscle weakness. 3. Neurological Conditions: Conditions such as cerebral palsy and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) can also result in hypotonia. 4. Infections: Prenatal infections like cytomegalovirus (CMV) and toxoplasmosis can damage the developing nervous system, leading to hypotonia.
