Babinski reflex is one of the normal reflexes in infants. Reflexes are responses that occur when the body receives a certain stimulus.
The Babinski reflex happens after the bottom of the foot has been rubbed firmly. The big toe then moves up or to the top surface of the foot. The other toes fan out.
This reflex is normal in children up to 2 years old. It disappears as the child gets older. It may disappear as early as 12 months.
When the Babinski reflex is present in a child older than 2 years or in an adult, it is often a sign of a central nervous system disorder. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord. Disorders may include:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig disease)
Brain tumor or injury
Meningitis (infection of …show more content…
The examiner begins the stimulation back at the heel and goes forward to the base of the toes. There are many ways to obtain the Babinski response. A useful way that requires no special equipment is with firm pressure from the examiner's thumb. Just rub the sole firmly with the thumb from back to front along the outside edge.
Too vigorous stimulation may cause withdrawal of the foot or toe, which can be mistaken as a Babinski sign.
Most newborn babies are not neurologically mature so they normally show a Babinski sign. Upon stimulation of the sole, they extend the big toe . Many young infants do this, too, and it is perfectly normal. However, in time during infancy the Babinski response goes away and, under normal circumstances, should never return.
"Retrieved from medicinenet.com."
The plantar reflex is a nociceptive segmental spinal reflex that serves the purpose of protecting the sole of the foot. The clinical significance lies in the fact that the abnormal response reliably indicates metabolic or structural abnormality in the corticospinal system upstream from the segmental reflex.
"Walker HK. (1990) Retrieved from
The Babinski reflex happens after the bottom of the foot has been rubbed firmly. The big toe then moves up or to the top surface of the foot. The other toes fan out.
This reflex is normal in children up to 2 years old. It disappears as the child gets older. It may disappear as early as 12 months.
When the Babinski reflex is present in a child older than 2 years or in an adult, it is often a sign of a central nervous system disorder. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord. Disorders may include:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig disease)
Brain tumor or injury
Meningitis (infection of …show more content…
The examiner begins the stimulation back at the heel and goes forward to the base of the toes. There are many ways to obtain the Babinski response. A useful way that requires no special equipment is with firm pressure from the examiner's thumb. Just rub the sole firmly with the thumb from back to front along the outside edge.
Too vigorous stimulation may cause withdrawal of the foot or toe, which can be mistaken as a Babinski sign.
Most newborn babies are not neurologically mature so they normally show a Babinski sign. Upon stimulation of the sole, they extend the big toe . Many young infants do this, too, and it is perfectly normal. However, in time during infancy the Babinski response goes away and, under normal circumstances, should never return.
"Retrieved from medicinenet.com."
The plantar reflex is a nociceptive segmental spinal reflex that serves the purpose of protecting the sole of the foot. The clinical significance lies in the fact that the abnormal response reliably indicates metabolic or structural abnormality in the corticospinal system upstream from the segmental reflex.
"Walker HK. (1990) Retrieved from