Assessment of Different Technique of Eliciting the Planter Reflex in Term Neonates

Background: Planter reflex is still an essential part of the neurological examination. The usual plantar reflex involved bending of the big toe or no response. There is a positive Babinski signal with corticospinal dysfunction, which involves big toe dorsal flexion and the accompanying fanning of the other toes. It’s one of the infant reflexes that disappers as the infant nervous system grows. The plantar reaction is primarily extensive in stable, term neonates. Many have researched this reflex's accuracy but very few studies have analyzed the various techniques of the planting reflex.

Objective: To assess the five different technique of eliciting the plantar reflex in newborn babies.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the eligible healthy newborn will be given the different methods for the elicitation of the plantar reflex i.e. Oppenheim sign, Gordon sign, Gonda’s sign, Chaddock sign, and Schaefer sign. During this procedure, we will record the baseline RR, HR, and SpO2 before, and after the procedure. Three pediatric residents of the different years will be selected for examining the newborn reflexes throughout the study period.

Results: After completion of the study, we will come to know the negative likelihood ratio, negative predictive value, positive predictive, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and sensitivity of the Oppenheim sign, Gordon sign, Gonda’s sign, Chaddock sign, and Schaefer sign.

Conclusion: The study will probably give us information about the sensitivity and specificity of the Oppenheim sign, Gordon sign, Gonda’s sign, Chaddock sign, and Schaefer sign for the elicitation of the plantar reflex in the neonates.