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.

Synoyms

BCH

Disorder Subdivision

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Benign congenital hypotonia (BCH) has been an outdated term since 1956, when the first congenital muscle disease, central core disease, was described.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.