Which of the following is a hypertonicity diagnosis?

• A. Cerebral palsy
• B. Down syndrome
• C. Prader-Willi syndrome
• D. Angelman syndrome

Answer: (A)

Hypertonicity is increased muscle tone, often seen as spasticity where resistance to movement is higher, especially as a limb is moved faster. Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive motor disorder most commonly linked with this kind of hypertonicity. The disruption of upper motor neuron pathways in CP leads to persistent stiffness, stronger reflexes, and abnormal postures in the limbs, which are hallmarks of hypertonic tone.

In contrast, the other conditions are typically associated with hypotonia—low muscle tone—early in life. Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and Angelman syndrome usually present with reduced resistance to passive movement and overall floppier muscles rather than the stiff, velocity-dependent resistance seen in cerebral palsy. That combination of clinical features makes hypertonicity a characteristic presentation of cerebral palsy.