Related Experiment Videos
From the foot-mouth reflex to the hand-mouth reflex. A continuum of responses to appendicular compression
1Division of Neurology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil.
Insights
The hand-mouth reflex in infants is strongest with hand and forearm stimulation. A novel foot-mouth response in children with neurological deficits may indicate central nervous system issues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Reflex Studies
Background:
- The Babkin reflex (hand-mouth reflex) is a known neonatal reflex.
- Its diagnostic utility in assessing neurodevelopmental status requires further investigation.
- Understanding reflex responses to appendicular stimulation can offer insights into neurological function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mouth opening response to appendicular compression in typically developing children and those with neurological deficits.
- To compare the intensity of the mouth opening response based on the site of stimulation (hand, forearm, arm, lower limb).
- To identify potential new reflex responses indicative of neurodevelopmental compromise.
Main Methods:
- Two groups of children were studied: 33 normal children and 50 children with neurological deficits.
- Appendicular compression was applied to various limb segments.
- Mouth opening responses were systematically observed and compared between stimulation sites and groups.
Main Results:
- Normal infants showed a stronger mouth opening response to hand and forearm compression than arm compression, persisting up to 6 months.
- No mouth opening response to lower limb stimulation was observed in normal infants.
- Children with neurological deficits exhibited mouth opening responses to stimulation of all limb segments.
- A significant foot-mouth response was observed in children with neurological deficits, suggesting a potential indicator of central nervous system compromise.
Conclusions:
- The hand-mouth reflex is more pronounced with distal upper limb stimulation in normal infants.
- The novel foot-mouth response in children with neurological deficits may serve as an early marker for neurodevelopmental dysfunction.
- This foot-mouth response could be associated with a poorer neurological prognosis.
Abstract:
We studied the mouth opening response to appendicular compression in two groups of children. This study was performed with the intention of testing the semiologic role of the act of mouth opening following stimulation of various regions, based on the hand mouth reflex of Babkin. Group I was formed by 33 normal children who underwent monthly follow up assessments since birth; and group II consisted of 50 children older than 6 months of age, known to have a neurologic deficit and a neuro-psychomotor development equivalent to that of a child in the first trimester of life. We observed that the normal mouth opening response in group I was more pronounced following compression of the hand and forearm when compared to compression of the arm (p < 0.001). This response could persist for as long as the first 6 months of life. We were not able to elicit a mouth opening response following compression of the lower limb in this group. Among children from group II, we observed mouth opening responses to stimulation of all limb segments. Within the upper limb, the response was more pronounced following compression of the hand in comparison to the forearm (p < 0.01), and forearm in comparison to the proximal arm (p < 0.01). Stimulation of the foot was more effective in eliciting a mouth opening response when compared to equivalent stimulation of the lower leg (p < 0.05). However, there was no statistical difference when responses to stimulation of the lower leg and thigh were compared. The presence of the previously unreported foot-mouth response may serve as an indicator of central nervous system compromise and could be associated with a poorer prognosis. We believe that our observations of the specific foot-mouth response patterns may serve as a marker of early neuro-psychomotor development dysfunction during childhood.