Early Craniosacral and Primitive Reflex Assessment in Infant Neurodevelopment.

Primitive reflexes (PR) are indispensable for the survival of the individual in the early stages of life. PR are necessary for a coordinated response to sensory stimuli during the period of cortical immaturity until the maturation of the central nervous system (CNS). However, PR must be gradually abolished as the subject's development proceeds, allowing for voluntary and functional movement responses. This process of PR abolition is due to the synaptic plasticity of the CNS. Persistent ROP can be identified by means of a systematic neurological examination. On the other hand, through craniosacral exploration, blockages in the craniosacral system can be evidenced; under physiological conditions, this system seeks to balance the mobility of membranes and cranial sutures, based on the coordinated movement of the cranial bones and the sacrum. If neurological homeostasis is disturbed in the child after diagnosing possible BC, this could manifest in the persistence of RPA and/or vice versa.

Observation of the child's different behavioral patterns in social and emotional areas, as well as his or her physical and psychological capacities, could help to detect early possible alterations in the onset of neurodevelopment. Such detection is essential for the health professional to be able to establish an appropriate treatment.

The aim of this study is to detect early infant neurodevelopmental dysfunctions and their possible relationship with RPA and/or BC in apparently healthy children.

Therefore, the research questions of this study were:

1. Are RPA and/or BC related to child neurodevelopmental disturbances?
2. In relation to the previous question, by means of the systematic evaluation of RPA and BC could children with neurodevelopmental disorders be identified in order to treat them early?