Babinski's reflex - Overview

Alternative Names

Reflex - Babinski's; Extensor plantar reflex; Babinski's sign

Definition of Babinski's reflex:

Babinski's reflex occurs when the big toe moves toward the top surface of the foot and the other toes fan out after the sole of the foot has been firmly stroked.

This reflex, or sign, is normal in very young children. It is not normal after age 2.

Considerations:

Reflexes are predictable, uncontrollable responses to a certain type of stimulation.

Babinski's reflex is one of the reflexes that occurs in infants. It is normal in children up to 2 years old, but it disappears as the child gets older and the nervous system becomes more developed. It may disappear as early as 12 months.

The presence of a Babinski's reflex after age 2 is a sign of damage to the nerve paths connecting the spinal cord and the brain (the corticospinal tract). This tract runs down both sides of the spinal cord. A Babinski's reflex can occur on one side or on both sides of the body.

An abnormal Babinski's reflex can be temporary or permanent.

Common Causes:

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease)
Brain tumor
Friedreich's ataxia
Head injury
Hepatic encephalopathy
Meningitis
Multiple sclerosis
Pernicious anemia
Poliomyelitis (some forms)
Rabies
Spinal cord injury
Spinal cord tumor
Stroke
Syringomyelia
Tuberculosis (when it affects the spine)

Reviewed last on: 2/5/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Griggs R, Jozefowicz R, Aminoff M. Approach to the patient with neurologic disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 418.

Murray B, Mitsumoto H. Disorders of the upper and lower motor neurons. In: Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, eds. Bradley: Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Butterworth-Heinemann Elsevier; 2008:chap 78.

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