HPPŠ THE FLOPPY INFANT SYNDROME
N. Barišić
Floppy infant syndrome is common diagnostic problem in newborns and infants. Clinical diagnosis is based on restriction of spontaneous motor activity, joint hypermobility and lack of resistance on passive movements examination. Floppy infant syndrome might be caused by central nervous system, neuromuscular, connective tissue, endocrinological, chromosomal, genetic and metabolic disorders. Data on positive family history, decreased fetal movements and polyhydroamnios are relevant for diagnosis. The most common causes of the floppy infant syndrome are congenital myopathies, muscular dystrophy and myotonic dystrophy. Symptoms of hypoxic and ischemic cerebral lesions may be associated with different inherited and acquired neuromuscular disorders presenting as floppy infant syndrome. Inherited musuclar disorders might cause respiratory distress syndrome and respiratory insufficiency in neonatal period. Diagnostic procedures include creatine kinase estimation, metabolic screening tests, electromyoneurography, muscle and nerve biopsy, immunocytochemistry, chromosomal and molecular genetic analysis. Electroencephalography (EEG), brain ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and psychometry are indicated for determination of cerebral lesions in the frame of floppy infant syndrome.