In a child less than 1 year, the Babinski sign is considered normal when the great toe does what?

In a child less than 1 year, the Babinski sign is considered normal when the great toe does what?

• A. Great toe flexes downward
• B. Great toe rotates inward
• C. Great toe bends upward and toes fan out
• D. Great toe remains neutral with no movement

Answer: (C)

The test hinges on understanding the Babinski reflex in infants. In babies under about a year, the corticospinal tract isn’t fully myelinated yet, so a mild positive Babinski is normal. When the sole is stroked, the great toe dorsiflexes ( bends upward) and the other toes fan out. This upward movement of the big toe with toe spreading is the normal infant response. As children grow and myelination progresses, this reflex fades and a normal response becomes plantar flexion of the toes. So the best description of a normal infant Babinski is the great toe bending upward with the toes fanning.

The test hinges on understanding the Babinski reflex in infants. In babies under about a year, the corticospinal tract isn’t fully myelinated yet, so a mild positive Babinski is normal. When the sole is stroked, the great toe dorsiflexes ( bends upward) and the other toes fan out. This upward movement of the big toe with toe spreading is the normal infant response. As children grow and myelination progresses, this reflex fades and a normal response becomes plantar flexion of the toes. So the best description of a normal infant Babinski is the great toe bending upward with the toes fanning.