11: Primitive Reflexes

Question 1

Elicited by stimulating the ball of the foot by firm pressure.

Answer 1

Plantar grasp

Question 2

Plantar flexion occurs after stimulation of the sole of the foot. A positive response occurs if extension or flexion of the toes occurs. Positive sign (normal in infants, not in adults) involves extension upward of the big toe and fanning of other toes.

Answer 2

Babinski reflex

Question 3

The infant is held upright and suspended by the examiner with hands under both axillae. The infant is slowly raised until the dorsum of the foot touches a protruding edge, usually the bassinet edge. Infant replaces the ipsilateral foot back on the edge after hip and knee flexion.

Answer 3

Placing reflex

Question 4

After the cheek or corner of the mouth is stroked, the infant’s head should turn toward the stimulus and the mouth should open.

Answer 4

Rooting reflex

Question 5

Present at birth. After touching or stroking the lips, the mouth opens and sucking movements begin.

Answer 5

Sucking reflex

Question 6

Stroking the palm of the infant’s hand with a finger should cause the infant to grasp the finger. The grasp will tighten with attempts to withdraw the finger.

Answer 6

Palmar grasp

Question 7

By grasping the neonate’s hands and pulling slowly from the supine position, the infant will pull back with flexion at elbows, knees, and ankles.

Answer 7

Head lag (Postural tone vis pull-to-sit maneuver)

Question 8

Hold infant under the chest and suspend in prone position. Stroke adjacent to the spine with cotton swab or thumb. Flexion of the pelvis toward the side of the stimulus is a positive response.

Answer 8

Truncal incurvation (Galant reflex)

Question 9

Hold infant in a supine and neutral position several centimeters off the bed. Support the head and neck with hand. Allow head to drop into examiner’s hand while still supporting it. In the first response, the arms extend and abduct and hands open. That response is followed by an inward movement with flexion of the arms and closing of the hands.

Answer 9

Moro reflex (Startle reflex)

Question 10

When the infant is held upright with the soles of the feet touching a flat surface, alternating stepping movements can be observed.

Answer 10

Stepping reflex

Question 11

With the infant in a supine, neutral position, turn head to one side. The upper extremity on the side the head is turned toward is extended and the upper extremity on the opposite side should flex.

Answer 11

Tonic neck reflex (Fencing position)