infant reflexes

BABINSKI &
PARACHUTE
GROUP 3
A B A D , PA U L A
ALANES, SAMANTHA
F L O J O , J O L LY
LADEMORA, JOHN
MARTE, JOHN
SERENADO, ELIACHEM
TORRES, CLARISSA
 BABINSKI
REFLEX

• A.k.a Plantar Reflex

• Babinski reflex occurs after the sole
of the foot has been firmly stroked.
The big toe then moves upward or
toward the top surface of the foot.
The other toes fan out.
• Normal in children up to 2 years
old. It disappears as the child gets
older. It may disappear as early as
12 months.
Babinski reflex
HISTORY
In the year 1896, Joseph
Babinski described an extensor
toe response that he claimed was
a consistent finding among
patients with pyramidal tract
lesions of the cortex, subcortex,
brain stem, or spinal cord. He
considered it a distinct sign of
organic disease and found it to be
absent in cases of hysterical
weakness.
Charles Gilbert Chaddock admired the work of Babinski and
described a modification of the Babinski technique,
demonstrating that stimulation of the lateral surface of the
foot could induce the same type of toe extension in patients
with pyramidal tract lesions.

The two reflexes are complementary, and each can occur

without the other, although both are usually present in cases
of pyramidal tract impairment. Although these two reflexes
are the most commonly described pathological reflexes
indicative of pyramidal tract disruption, the names of other
celebrated neurologists are also linked to the study of
extensor toe signs, each having identified a variant of the
Babinski sign.
 The Anatomy
OF BABINSKI REFLEX

The Babinski reflex tests the integrity of the

01
cortical spinal tract (CST).The CST is a
descending fiber tract that originates from the
cerebral cortex through the brainstem and
spinal cord. The CST is considered the upper
motor neuron (UMN) and the alpha motor
neuron is considered the lower motor neuron
(LMN).
 The Anatomy
OF BABINSKI REFLEX

Stimulation of the lateral plantar aspect of the foot (S1

dermatome) normally leads to plantar flexion of the toes

02
(due to stimulation of the S1 myotome). The response
results from nociceptive fibers in the S1 dermatome
detecting the stimulation. Nociceptive input travels up
the tibial and sciatic nerve to the S1 region of the spine
and synapse with anterior horn cells.
The motor response which leads to the plantar flexion is
mediated through the S1 root and tibial nerve.
 The Anatomy
OF BABINSKI REFLEX

The toes curl down and inward.

03
Sometimes there is no response to
stimulation. This is called a neutral
response.
 Complications
IF NOT DISAPPEARED AFTER DUE TIME

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 Brain Tumor or Injury
Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s
Disease
Meningitis Multiple Sclerosis
Spinal Cord Injury,Defect Stroke
or Tumor
 Clinical
SIGNIFICANCE
• This test is referred to as "readiness tester"
• Integrates at the same time that independent gait first
becomes possible.
• In case of a disease affecting the corticospinal tract , this
primitive reflex reappears.

i’m ready
 PARACHUTE
REFLEX
• The parachute reflex in newborns is a motor
response that you will see when they are
around the age of 5 months.

• Remains with a human being his entire life

• You can see this response when you hold the

baby in a straight position under your armpits
and turn him over on his belly quickly. He will
extend his arms to break the fall. This action is
the parachute reflex .
WHY DO BABIES HAVE
PARACHUTE REFLEX?
The parachute reflex is one of our
primitive reflexes. These are operated by
the central nervous system and favor
survival during the first year of life.

The primitive reflexes begin in the womb

and develop with the movements typical of
each age. Therefore, these reflexes are
produced by the action of stimuli from the
outside world.

They are involuntary movements that

disappear over time.
 How to determine
IF YOUR BABY HAS DEVELOPED
PARACHUTE REFLEX

Check the baby’s parachute reflex by seeing whether he has the

following reactions:

• Lower the child onto an area where his feet and body can
rest. Observe an immediate posture of extension and slight
external rotation of the legs. It’s easily identifiable by the 5th
month of age.

• To observe the lateral parachute reflex, have the child sit so that
his legs hang down. Gently push him to one side and watch as he
reaches out quickly with his arm to avoid falling. This reflex can
be detected by the age of 6 months.
 How to determine
IF YOUR BABY HAS DEVELOPED
PARACHUTE REFLEX
• A frontal reaction can be seen when the child is pushed forward and
spreads his arms quickly to protect himself from harm. This level of the
parachute reflex is generally seen between months 7 and 8.
• Another protective response occurs when the child is pushed
backwards. His arms and wrists extend and the back of his shoulders
tilt backward.
 Absence
OF REFLEXES IN BABIES
The absence of multiple reflexes in babies can occur as a result of
neurological injury or a weakness in the motor system.

• Children who are always lying down and are unable to sit upright.
• Reduced muscle tone that is evident in a lack of coordination,
causing the baby to crash, fall and go sideways.
• Difficulty concentrating or focusing his vision, such as when
watching television. A complication of this condition includes
developing learning disorders by the time the child is of school
age.
• Inability to potty train.
• Inability to develop fine motor skills, work with hands or even to
eat.
• Babies with nervous, scared or very dependent attitudes.
 Clinical
SIGNIFICANCE
• Absent or abnormal in children with
cerebral palsy
• Would be asymmetrical in spastic
hemiplegia

Cerebral palsy is neurological disorder caused by a non-

progressive brain injury or malformation that occurs while the
child's brain is under development.

Spastic hemiplegia is a neuromuscular condition of spasticity that

results in the muscles on one side of the body being in a constant
state of contraction. It is the "one-sided version" of spastic diplegia.