Muscle weakness in children

What does muscle weakness in children mean?

A child with muscle weakness lacks the strength to move certain muscles the way they should. This lack of muscle strength makes it more difficult for a child to perform basic functions like walking, feeding or dressing themselves. A child may be able to perform these tasks, but it takes extra effort. As a result, a child with muscle weakness may tire more easily.

What are the signs and symptoms of muscle weakness in children?

Muscle weakness symptoms in children include:

• Difficulty crawling, standing, walking, running, jumping or climbing stairs

• Inability to raise their arms, feed themselves or pick up items and hold onto them

• Trouble sucking, swallowing or speaking

• Neurodevelopmental delays and developmental delays (not hitting milestones like rolling over or crawling as expected)

• Lack (or loss) of muscle tone (soft, doughy muscles)

• Floppy head and neck

• Droopy eyelids or inability to track things with the eyes

How is muscle weakness in children diagnosed?

Neurologists at Children’s Health are experts at pinpointing the cause of muscle weakness in a child. Different conditions can affect muscle strength. Often, other symptoms occur along with muscle weakness. Our doctors assess all symptoms to determine which diagnostic tests your child needs.

These tests may include:

• Developmental testing - to check for motor, language, social and behavioral delays

• Electromyogram (EMG) - to show how muscles respond to nerve signals

• Genetic testing - to look for gene changes that cause certain disorders

• MRIs or CT scans - to look for muscle changes that indicate neuromuscular disease

• Muscle biopsies - to diagnose neuromuscular disorders and infections

• Neurological examinations - to assess motor skills, balance and coordination

What are the causes of muscle weakness in children?

Many conditions can cause muscle weakness in a child. Muscle weakness causes include:

• Acute flaccid myelitis or AFM (spinal cord inflammation and infection)

• Autoimmune diseases, such as myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barré syndrome

• Cerebral palsy

• Electrolyte imbalance

• Hereditary (genetic) neuropathies like Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

• Hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone) 

• Hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone)

• Neuromuscular diseases, such as muscular dystrophy

• Vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency

How is muscle weakness in children treated?

Treatments for muscle weakness vary depending on the underlying cause. At Children’s Health, we have the expertise to quickly diagnose the problem and start treatment. We offer comprehensive treatments for all types of disorders that cause muscle weakness.

Depending on the condition causing muscle weakness, treatments may include:

• Medications

• Rehabilitation services

  • Occupational therapy (OT)

  • Physical therapy (PT)

  • Speech therapy