Babinski Sign

how to check babinski sign

Related Word:
Reflex
Jospeh Babinski
Neurology
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Pediatrics


What Is It?
The test for Babinski’s sign, is running a pointed instrument up the lateral border of the foot and crossing to the medial side over the metatarsal pads. The term Babinski’s sign also refers to a reflex of the forearm and indicates a lesion of the spinal cord.


How We Do It?
It is obtained by stimulating the external portion of the sole. The examiner begins the stimulation back at the heel and goes forward to the base of the toes. There are diverse ways to elicit Babinski response. A useful way that requires no special equipment is with firm pressure from the examiner's thumb. Just stroke the sole firmly with the thumb from back to front along the outside edge.
Care must be taken not to overdo it. Too vigorous stimulation may cause withdrawal of the foot or toe, which can be mistaken as a Babinski response.
click here to see video babinski sign
click here to see video babinski sign


Is It Bad Sign or Not?
Most newborn babies are not neurologically mature and therefore show a Babinski response. Upon stimulation of the sole, they extend the great toe . Many young infants do this, too, and it is perfectly normal. However, in time during infancy the Babinski response vanishes and, under normal circumstances, should never return.
A Babinski response in an older child or adult is abnormal. It is a sign of a problem in the central nervous system, most likely in a part called the pyramidal tract.

How to Report The Sign?
It is wrong to say that the Babinski reflex is positive or negative, it must be said present or absent.


Refferences
Medlineplus Encyclopedia
Whonamedit.com
Medical Dictionary


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