What happens when the sole of an infant's foot is stroked in relation to Babinski's sign?

What happens when the sole of an infant's foot is stroked in relation to Babinski's sign?

• A. Toes curl inward
• B. Toes fan out
• C. Foot moves away
• D. No response

Answer: (B)

When the sole of an infant's foot is stroked, the expected response is that the toes fan out. This is a reflex action known as Babinski's sign, which is significant in assessing neurological function in infants. The presence of this response indicates that the nerve pathways from the spinal cord to the toes are functioning properly. In infants, the fanning of the toes occurs due to the immaturity of their nervous system, which is still developing. As a child grows older, this response changes, and typically by the age of 1 or 2, the toes start to curl inward instead of fanning out, reflecting the maturation of the nervous system. Therefore, observing the Babinski reflex can provide valuable insights into the developmental stage of an infant's neurological system.

When the sole of an infant's foot is stroked, the expected response is that the toes fan out. This is a reflex action known as Babinski's sign, which is significant in assessing neurological function in infants. The presence of this response indicates that the nerve pathways from the spinal cord to the toes are functioning properly.

In infants, the fanning of the toes occurs due to the immaturity of their nervous system, which is still developing. As a child grows older, this response changes, and typically by the age of 1 or 2, the toes start to curl inward instead of fanning out, reflecting the maturation of the nervous system. Therefore, observing the Babinski reflex can provide valuable insights into the developmental stage of an infant's neurological system.