Which of the following is a typical presentation of a hypotonic child?

• A. Winged scapula
• B. Flexion of head and trunk
• C. Pes Planus
• D. Posterior Pelvic Tilt

Answer: (B)

Hypotonia presents as reduced muscle tone, so the body tends to relax into positions that require less effort to hold up against gravity. A hallmark in infants and young children is a head and trunk that prefer flexion because the extensor muscles needed to keep the spine and neck extended are weak. This head-and-trunk flexion pattern reflects poor trunk control and a general tendency to assume a flexed posture when support is minimal.

Winged scapula points to weakness of specific shoulder girdle muscles rather than a global, low-tone pattern, so it’s not the typical sign of generalized hypotonia. Pes planus, while it can occur with lax ligaments and low tone, isn’t a defining feature of hypotonia. Posterior pelvic tilt isn’t a characteristic sign of generalized hypotonia either, and wouldn’t be the primary posture you’d expect to see. So the flexed head and trunk presentation best fits the typical hypotonic pattern.