Recovery curve of the H-reflex in normal infants, central coordination disturbance cases and cerebral palsy patients within the first year of life.

The differences in the recovery curve of the H-reflex in the gastrocnemius within the first year of life were evaluated among 81 normal controls, 40 infants with cerebral palsy and 11 infants with central coordination disturbance (CCD). In normal controls, the recoveries for the groups of under 6 months of age were more marked than those for the groups of 6 months and over of age, with interstimulus intervals of 400 msec and less. The results for the infants with cerebral palsy showed more rapid recovery and facilitation of the reflex compared to those in the normal control infants throughout the first year of life. The recovery curves for the infants with CCD were similar to those for the infants with cerebral palsy in part. It was considered that the recovery curve of the H-reflex might provide additional information for evaluating an infant's motor function.