Early prognostication of motor function in cases of cerebral palsy is complicated by a variety of motor and other neurogical deficits. An accurate prediction of the eventual outcome of motor function in cerebral palsy is not an easy task within the first few years of life.

My interest was to predict the potentials for ambulation at an early age based on the scoring for prognosis with 7 signs of postural and tonic reflex; asymmetrical tonic neck reflex, symmetrical tonic neck reflex, Moro reflex, neck righting reflex, foot placement reaction, parachute reaction, and the extensor thrust.

Fifty-two children with cerebral palsy, aged 3 to 15 years were included in the study completed in 1986 and the duration of follow up was 6 months to 7 years 8 months.

Of the total population, 55.8% achieved some degree of functional walking. Among the 24 children who were scored having a good prognosis, 16(67%) could walk at the mean age of 5 years 2 months and 8(33%) could not walk at the mean age of 6 years 2 months. Among the 15 who were scored having a guarded prognosis, 9(60%) could walk at the age of 8 years 5 months and 6(40%) could not at the age of 8 years 7 months. Among 13 who were scored having a poor prognosis, 4(31%) could walk at 9 years 9 months and 9(69%) could not at the age of 8 years 1 month.

These observation suggested that if the infantile reflex test were done at an earlier age and more regularly the accuracy for prognosis would be higher.