Hypotonia, Benign Congenital

Synonyms

• BCH

Disorder Subdivisions

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Benign congenital hypotonia (BCH) has been an outdated term since 1956, when the first congenital muscle disease, central core disease, was described.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

Resources

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation

1275 Mamaroneck Avenue

White Plains, NY 10605

Tel: (914)997-4488

Fax: (914)997-4763

Tel: (888)663-4637

Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com

Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com



NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

P.O. Box 5801

Bethesda, MD 20824

Tel: (301)496-5751

Fax: (301)402-2186

Tel: (800)352-9424

TDD: (301)468-5981

Email: me20t@nih.gov

Internet: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/



MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network

150 Custer Court

Green Bay, WI 54301-1243

USA

Tel: (920)336-5333

Fax: (920)339-0995

Tel: (877)336-5333

Email: mums@netnet.net

Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/



Pathways Awareness Foundation

150 North Michigan Avenue

Suite 2100

Chicago, IL 60601

USA

Fax: (312)893-6621

Tel: (800)955-2445

TDD: (800)326-8154

Email: friends@pathwaysawareness.org

Internet: http://www.pathwaysawareness.org



Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center

PO Box 8126

Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126

Tel: (301)251-4925

Fax: (301)251-4911

Tel: (888)205-2311

TDD: (888)205-3223

Email: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspx

Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  4/17/2008

Copyright  1987, 1989, 1996, 2000, 2003 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.