The Landau reflex is a primitive reflex observed in infants that facilitates crawling movements [1]. When the infant is held in a vertical position with their feet touching a flat surface, a reflexive stepping motion occurs as the infant places one foot in front of the other [2]. This reflex emerges around 8-10 months of age and supports the development of voluntary crawling by producing an automatic walking movement [3].

The afferent limb of the reflex involves sensory receptors in the soles of the feet detecting pressure when placed on a surface [4]. This sensory information ascends via the posterior columns to the cerebellum [5]. The cerebellum then coordinates motor output, sending signals down the corticospinal tracts to activate flexor and extensor muscles in the legs alternately, resulting in crawling motions [6]. The Landau reflex typically disappears around 12 months as voluntary motor control develops and supersedes primitive reflexes. Persistence of the reflex beyond this age can indicate neurodevelopmental delay.