Objectives:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and discuss the reliability of the Superficial Abdominal Reflexes in neurological component of the spinal examination.

Methods:

Four hundred and eleven (189 girls- 222 boys) primary school students are screened. Average age of the children is 10,6 years. Superficial Abdominal Reflexes are tested in all four quadrants and back surface of the spine is evaluated with scoliometer.

Results:

Three hundred seventy two (90.5 %) subjects had bilaterally normal superficial abdominal reflexes. Twelve (2.9 %) subjects had no reflex in at least one quadrant. Two (0.4 %) subjects completely had no reflexes on the left side. Twenty-five (6 %) children had no reflex in all quadrants. Favourable reflexes examination cannot be performed in nineteen (4.6 %) subjects because of tickling sensation. There are no statistically differences between boys and girls, younger than 10-year-old group and older.

Conclusion:

Precise neuropathway of the superficial abdominal reflexes is not completely understood yet. It can be absent in healthy population. Different techniques of the abdominal reflex testing can affect the results. To eliminate abdominal muscle contraction, cooperation with the child is important. In the current study 4.6 % of the subjects tested negative reflexes because of the muscle contraction due to intractable tickling sensation. According to our opinion, contribution of the superficial abdominal reflexes examination on deciding further neurological examination or MRI is poor.

Keywords: Superficial Abdominal Reflexes, Scoliosis, Neurologic Examination, Syringomyelia