infant reflexes Flashcards
What are Infant Reflexes?
- Involuntary stereotyped movement responses to a particular stimuli.
- Dominant movement form during the last 4 months of prenatal life and first 4 months after birth.
- Occur subcortically (below the level of the higher brain centers)
Infant vs. Lifespan Reflexes
- Most “infant” reflexes do not last beyond the first year.
- Infant reflexes may not completely disappear.
– May be inhibited by maturing CNS.
– May be integrated into new movements. - Reflexes that endure are called “lifespan” reflexes
Why is the study of infant reflexes important?
Dominant form of movement for last 4 months prenatally and first 4 months
* critical for human survival.
* believed to be foundation for later voluntary movements.
* Appearance and disappearance helpful in diagnosing neurological disorders
Role of the Reflexes in Survival
-Human infants essentially helpless
-Primitive reflexes occur during gestation or at birth and most are repressed by 6 months of age
-important for protection,
nutrition, and survival
Postural reflexes
related to the development of later voluntary movement.
– Reflexes integrated, modified, and incorporated into more complex patterns
– Automatic movement is “practice” for future voluntary movements.
– Some believe reflexes may not be related to future motor development
Reflexes as Diagnostic Tools
-Reflexes can determine level of neurological maturation.
-Reflexes should be tested carefully and only by trained professionals
Milani Comparetti Neuromotor
Development Examination
-– Measures several infant reflexes from birth to 24 months.
– Develops profile of child’s movement in
relation to what is expected at a specific
age.
– Especially valuable with children suspected of motor delay
Primitive Reflex Profile
– Quantification of the level of presence or strength of primitive reflexes
– 3 reflexes: moro, asymmetric tonic neck, symmetric tonic neck
– 5 point classification system (0 for absent, 4 for so strong it dominates individual).
Pinpointing the Number of Infant Reflexes
– Rooting reflex = search reflex; cardinal points reflex
- poorly defined and more
complex than once thought
Primitive Reflexes
- Palmar Grasp
- Sucking
- Search
- Moro
- Startle
- Asymmetric Tonic Neck
- Symmetric Tonic Neck
- Plantar Grasp
- Babinski
- Palmar Madibular
- Palmar Mental
Primitive Reflexes ~ Palmar Grasp
Stimulus /Response
S: Palm stimulated
R: 4 fingers (not thumb) close
Duration - 5 months gestation - 4 months postpartum
Concerns -No palmer grasp may indicate
neurological problems (spasticity)
Other -One of the most noticeable reflexes May lead to voluntary reaching / grasping May predict handedness in adulthood
Primitive Reflexes ~ Sucking
Stimulus /Response
S: touch of lips
R: sucking action
Duration- In utero - 3 months postpartum
Concerns- No reflex problematic for nutrition
Other -Often in conjunction with searching reflex
Primitive Reflexes ~ Search
Stimulus /Response
S: touch cheek
R: head moves toward stimuli
Duration -Weeks prenatal - 3 months postpartum
Concerns- No reflex problematic for nutrition No reflex or lack of persistence may be sign of CNS or sensorimotor dysfunction.
Other- Often in conjunction with sucking reflex. Contributes to head/body-righting reflexes
Primitive Reflexes ~ Startle
Stimulus /Response
S: Same as Moro
R: Arms and legs flex
Duration 2-3 months after Moro disappears – 1 year
Other Less severe startle reflexes elicited
through lifespan
Primitive Reflexes ~ Moro
Stimulus /Response
S: Suddenly but gently lower baby’s head
S: Hit surface beside baby
R: Arms and legs extend
Duration- Prenatal – 4-6 months postpartum
Concerns -May signify CNS dysfunction if lacking May signify sensory motor problem if persists May delay sitting & head control if persists May indicate injury to one side of brain if asymmetical
Other -Reaction time increases with age
Preceeds startle refle
Primitive Reflexes ~ Moro
