Infant Reflexes

Question 1

What are the three classifications of reflexes?

Answer 1

Primitive, tonic/attitudinal, postural reactions

Question 2

What is the neonatal stepping reflex?

Answer 2

Primitive reflex. When the infants legs are put in contact with a surface they will put one leg in front of the other to try and walk

Question 3

When is the neonatal reflex present/dissaear and why?

Answer 3

Present from birth but disappears around 6 weeks due to increased ration of leg weight to strength ratio

Question 4

What is the moro reflex?

Answer 4

Primitive reflex. The legs and head extend while the arms jerk up and out with the palms up and thumbs flexed. Shortly afterward the arms are brought together and the hands clench into fists, and the infant cries loudly

Question 5

What is the timeframe for the moro reflex?

Answer 5

Present at birth peaks at 1 month and tends to disappear around 3-4 months

Question 6

What is the rooting reflex?

Answer 6

Primitive reflex that assists in breastfeeding. The infant will turn towards anything that strokes its cheek or mouthpresent at birth and integrates at 3-4 months

Question 7

What is the timeframe for the rooting reflex?

Answer 7

appears at birth, integrates around 3-4 months

Question 8

What is the palmar grasp reflex?

Answer 8

Primitive reflex. When pressure is applied to palm infant will grasp it with a palmar grasp

Question 9

What is the timeframe for the palmar grasp reflex?

Answer 9

present at birth, integrated at 4-6 months

Question 10

What is the plantar grasp reflex?

Answer 10

Primitive reflex. When there is pressure to the balls of feet under toes the foot PF and toes curl.

Question 11

What is the timeframe for the plantar grasp reflex?

Answer 11

present at birth integrates around 9 months

Question 12

flexor withdrawal reflex?

Answer 12

if there is noxious stimuli, infant will flex to withdraw

Question 13

what is a dominant response?

Answer 13

reflex dominates the child’s movement; elicited repeatedly with minimal stimulus

Question 14

What is a complete response?

Answer 14

All components of response, but not consistent

Question 15

What is an incomplete response?

Answer 15

some component of the stereotypes response but inconsistent

Question 16

What is an integrated response?

Answer 16

steroetyped response NOT elicited, voluntary movement present

Question 17

What does abnormal expression of the primitive reflexes reflect?

Answer 17

Integrity of the CNS

Question 18

What is the ATNR reflex?

Answer 18

With head rotation, skull limb flexes and jaw limb extends

Question 19

What is the time frame for the ATNR reflex?

Answer 19

present at birth, integrates around 4-6 months

Question 20

What is the STNR?

Answer 20

Symmetric tonic neck reflex. With neck flexion, UE flexion and LE extension. With neck extension, UE extension LE flexion

Question 21

What is the time frame for the STNR?

Answer 21

4-12 months is normal time frame for the STNR to be present, Should be integreated by 12 months

Question 22

What is the positive support reflex?

Answer 22

Increased extensor tone in LE when legs are placed on surface to maintain balance

Question 23

What is the time frame for the Positive support reflex?

Answer 23

3-8 months. 8 months and the reflex should be integrated and infant should have volitional control of LE

Question 24

What is the MAI?

Answer 24

Motor assessment Index for high risk infants

Question 25

How do you score the MAI?

Answer 25

1-4 for each relfex 1 being integrated and 4 being dominant

Question 26

5 righting reactions

Answer 26

optical righting
labyrinth righting
body on head
neck on body
body on body

Question 27

What is the optical righting reaction?

Answer 27

if body is turned, head will turn to keep eyes at midline.

visual info helps orient head

Question 28

What is the labyrinth righting.

Answer 28

If eyes are closed, head will orient to midline for vestibular reaction

Question 29

What is the body on head reaction?

Answer 29

tactile and neck proprioceptive info used to orient head to midline

Question 30

What is the neck on body reaction?

Answer 30

If the head is turned the body will follow it

Question 31

What is the body on body reaction?

Answer 31

If the lower body is turned, the upper half and neck will follow

Question 32

What are the time frames for the NOB/BOB reactions

Answer 32

Appear around 4-6 months and integrate around 5 years