Infant Reflexes Flashcards
Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex
Stimulus: Observe posture in prone and supine
Response: Flexed posture in prone, extended in supine
Onset: 40 w gestation
Integration: 6 months
Purpose: Facilitates total body flexor/extensor tone
ATNR
Stimulus: In supine, turn head to one side
Response: Extension of arm and leg on face side; flexion of lime on skull side
Onset: 37 w gestation
Integration: 4-6 months
Purpose: Promotes visual hand regard
Placing Reflex (Legs)
Stimulus: Touch top of foot to tabletop
Response: Places foot on table with flexion, then extension
Onset: 26 w gestation
Integration: 2 months
STNR
Stimulus: Prone over lap. Flex neck, observe. Extend neck, observe.
Response: With neck flexion, arms flex and legs extend. Opposite with neck extension.
Onset: 4-6 months
Integration: 8-12 months
Purpose: Facilitates static quadruped position
Placing Reflex (Arms)
Stimulus: Touch back of hand on tabletop
Response: Places hand on tables with flexion, then extension
Onset: 36 w gestation
Integration: 2 months
Landau Reflex
Stimulus: Hold in prone suspension Response: Neck, arms, and legs extend Onset: 3-4 months Integration: 12-24 months Purpose: Facilitates prone extension, breaks up flexor dominance
Stepping Reflex
Stimulus: Upright, slightly tip forward placing some weight on bottom of feed
Response: Rhythmic, alternating steps
Onset: 37 w gestation
Integration 2 months
Neck Righting (NOB)
Stimulus: Place infant in supine and fully turn head to one side
Response: Log rolling of entire body to maintain head alignment
Onset: 4-6 months
Integration: 5 years
Purpose: Initiates rolling (first ambulation effort)
Palmar Grasp Reflex
Stimulus: Pressure in palm with finger Response: Fingers flex into tight grip Onset: 28 w. gestation Integration: 2-4 months Note: Replaced with pincer grasp at approximately 36 weeks. Affects handwriting and dexterity if retained
Body Righting (BOB)
Stimulus: Place infant in supine, flex one hip and knee toward chest, hold briefly
Response: Segmental rolling of upper trunk to maintain alignment
Onset: 4-6 months
Integration: 5 years
Purpose: Facilitates trunk/spinal rotation
Downward Parachute (protective extension downward)
Stimulus: Rapidly lower infant toward supporting surface while suspended vertically
Response: Extension of lower extremities
Onset: 4 months, persists
Purpose: allows accurate placement of lower extremities in anticipation of surface
Galant Reflex
Stimulus: Hold infant in prone suspension and scratch alongside spine, from shoulder to buttocks
Response: Lateral trunk flexion
Onset: 32 w gestation
Integration: 2 months
Purpose: Facilitates lateral trunk movements necessary for stabilization
Forward Parachute (protective extension forward)
Stimulus: Suddenly tip infant forward toward supporting surface while vertically suspended
Response: Extension of UEs, hand opening, neck extension
Onset: 6-9 months, persists
Purpose: Allows accurate placement of upper extremities to prevent fall
Phasic Bite Reflex
Stimulus: Pressure on the gums
Response: Up and down jaw motion
Note: Tonic bite is never normal and may indicate CNS damage
Rooting Reflex
Stimulus: Stroke side of mouth to cheek
Response: Head turns toward stimulus
Onset: 28 w gestation
Integration: 3-4 months (longer in nursed babies)
Purpose: Allows searching/locating of food sources