Tall vertebrae at birth: a radiographic finding in flaccid infants.
It has been well documented that children with severe neuromuscular disorders have tall vertebrae, presumably a consequence of altered mechanical forces. This finding was present in four neonates who were born with severe "floppy" hypotonia due to Werdnig-Hoffmann disease (two cases), nonspecific neonatal myopathy, and congenital muscular dystrophy. Fetal vertebral development is normally modified by intrauterine muscle tension and fetal activity.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009123:Muscle Hypotonia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*