Positive Babinski in 25.5 month old

[SewMommy]

My son, age 25.5. months has always had a positive babinski reflex.  In fact, often (at least daily), while he is just sitting and playing, his big toes point straight up while his other toes curl under.

At age 18 weeks, it was confirmed (via CT scan) that his metopic suture had fused.  At age 8 months, he began having seizure like episodes. He had two EEGs done - short one was abnormal - 24 hour one was "normal".   He had an MRI done that was *normal*.  

Now he has been diagnosed with sensory integration disorder.  He has also never had a "normal" bowel movement (they've all been very loose).  He's had many stool cultures done -- all normal.

Do you feel there is anything that ties all of these issues together?  I'm most concerned about there being a link between his metopic suture being fused early and the positive babinski reflex.  

Thank you for your time.

[Dr Emma]

A note on the Babinski response.

Observation within the Chiropractic examination of infants over the past few years has shown that the Babinski response is variably present in the first year and is often asymmetrical.  It has also been noted that it disappears almost universally immediately following subluxation correction.  This is currently the subject of an Australian wide research trial sponsored by the CAA Paeds Committee.

Wondering if this child has been checked for subluxation and cranial kinesiopathology?

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

The metopic suture is one of the first cranial sutures to fuse in childhood. The fusion usually occurs between 6 and 8 months but can start as early as 3 months (12 weeks). Therefore it is not clear whether this is playing a role in your child, or whether it is just an incidental finding

The babinski reflex is present if on stimulating the sole of the foot, the first movement of the big toe is up , while the other toes splay out. It is present in normal babies up to a few months, but if present at 25 months, a neurological assessment should be done to look for any abnormalities. I'm not sure if the babinski has been conirmed by a pediatric neurologist, sometimes toes go up but do not fall into the above description

Sensory integration refers to the ability to process all the sensory stimuli experienced and apply that to influence behaviour etc, but this does not give an indication of the cause. there may be an underlying diagnosis but I don't have enough information to make a conclusion. For instance, were seizures confirmed on the EEG?. No immediate syndrome or specific diagnosis comes to mind

The Pediatic Neurology division at the Cleveland Clinic can provide any second opinions if you so wish