Muscle hypertension in newborns

The child is in the uterus, "curled up" (in the embryo position). Therefore, during the first month of his life after childbirth, he tries to bend the legs and handles as it was in the womb of the mother.

The newborn's feet are located at right angles to the legs, the brushes are gathered into the fists, and the thighs of the baby are slightly divorced. In this case, the legs and handles of the newborn are relatively difficult to unbend, in his muscles, resistance is felt. Such a state in a mild manifestation is called a normotonus (tone). In the legs, the resistance to extension is higher than in the handles. In some cases, the condition of the newborn can cause parents anxiety. In this case, too strong tone (hypertonus) of muscles is determined . This condition is a neurological disorder. After reaching half a year, as a rule, the tone begins to decrease. During this time, of course, you need to correct the condition.

A tonus is the necessary muscle tension. With his help, the body's position and movements are maintained. In the conditions of the correct balance of the tone of different muscles, the correct economical movement is ensured.

Hypertonus in a child can manifest itself in too much pressing the legs and handles to the body. It is difficult to unbend them. In this case, the muscular hypertonus is accompanied by the irritability of the baby in response to sounds and light, while he begins to cry, throw his head back.

The main factors contributing to the development of this condition in newborns are mainly circulatory disorders in the uterus. These violations are often caused by harmful habits of the pregnant woman - smoking and alcohol abuse. In addition, muscle hypertension after childbirth can develop due to chronic diseases, gestosis in pregnant women, as well as pathological births. All these conditions contribute to the development of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) in the fetus and, as a consequence, neurological disorders.

Hypertension of muscles means not a general condition of the newborn, but a local symptom. Therefore, when doctors talk about it, they specify where the manifestation is stronger. In the case of unidentified localization, it is said that muscle hypertension is diagnosed both in the legs and in the handles.

You can determine the condition by taking the newborn under the armpits and lifting it above the changing table in an upright position. With hypertension, the baby will stand on tiptoe or press the legs. For children who started walking, tiptoeing is not the norm.

In addition to hypertonia, there is a hypotonic muscle of the newborn. This condition is characterized by a decrease in the tone in the limbs. It should be noted that in medical practice there are many cases when muscular dystonia is detected . With this condition, the tone of the legs can be higher, and the handles lower. With a hypotone, the limbs of the newborn are flabby, when flexing, weak muscle resistance or total absence is felt.

A neurologist should conduct a neurological examination of the baby. The expert can assign the necessary examination for any suspicion.

It should be noted that the treatment of hypertension is not a remedy for the symptom. Therapeutic measures are mainly aimed at identifying and eliminating the cause of the development of the pathological condition. As a rule, a provoking factor is a violation in the circulation. This causes the appointment of drugs that improve the blood supply to the brain, metabolic processes in the nervous tissues and muscles.

To correct the condition, massage is used. This procedure is considered one of the most convenient, effective and enjoyable methods of eliminating the muscle tone in newborns.