Babinski's reflex

Typically, a person (older than an infant) who has a Babinski's reflex will also have incoordination, weakness, and difficulty with muscle control. Safety is important to prevent the risk of injury. The person may need assistance with activity, and the environment should be kept free of hazards.

This finding is usually discovered by the health care provider, and the affected person usually is not aware of its presence.

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions will be asked documenting this reflex in detail.

The physical examination will probably include a complete nervous system (neurologic) examination.

Diagnostic testing may include:

• MRI scan of the head or MRI scan of the spine
• Angiography of the head
• Somatosensory evoked potentials
• Lumbar puncture and analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid

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