Newborn Reflexes

Question 1

rooting reflex

Answer 1

brush cheek and infant will turn head in that direction, helps them find food

Question 2

rooting diminishes when?

Answer 2

about 6 mos

Question 3

blink reflex

Answer 3

protects eye, never goes away

Question 4

sucking reflex

Answer 4

touch lips, baby makes a sucking motion. Helps them find food

Question 5

sucking reflex diminishes when?

Answer 5

at 6 months

Question 6

swallowing reflex

Answer 6

food that reaches posterior portion of tongue is automatically swallowed.
gag, cough, and sneeze reflexes are also present to maintain a clear airway

same as adults

Question 7

extrusion reflex

Answer 7

prevents swallowing of inedible substances (puts tongue out)

Question 8

extrusion reflex fades at ___ months

Answer 8

4

Question 9

palmar grasp reflex

Answer 9

grasp an object placed in their palms by quickly closing fingers on it

Question 10

palmar grasp reflex disappears when?

Answer 10

6 weeks- 3 months

Question 11

step (walk) in place reflex

Answer 11

hold in vertical position with their feet touching hard surface, will take a few quick, alternating steps

Question 12

step reflex disappears when?

Answer 12

disappears by 3 mos sot that by 4 babies can bear a good portion of their weight unhindered by this reflex

Question 13

placing reflex

Answer 13

touching the anterior surface of the lower part of leg against a hard surface. Newborn makes a few quick lifting motions, as if to step onto the table

Question 14

placing reflex disappears when?

Answer 14

disappears by 3 mos sot that by 4 babies can bear a good portion of their weight unhindered by this reflex

Question 15

plantar grasp reflex

Answer 15

object touches the sole of the foot at base of the toes, the toes grasp in the same manner as the fingers

Question 16

plantar grasp disappears when?

Answer 16

8-9 months in preparation for walking

may be present during sleep for longer

Question 17

tonic neck reflex

Answer 17

lie on back, head turns from one side or another.
arm and leg on the side toward which the head turns extend and the opposite arm and leg contract.

hard to understand purpose

Question 18

tonic neck disappears _____ mos

Answer 18

2-3

Question 19

moro (startle) reflex

Answer 19

startle with loud noise or jarring bassinet, or allow head to drop back about 1”.
In response, newborn abducts and extend arms and legs, then swings arms into an embrace position and pulls up the legs against the abdomen.

reflex simulates action of someone trying to ward of an attacker, then covering up the body to protect it.

Question 20

moro reflex fades when?

Answer 20

strong for first 8 weeks, fades by 4-5 mos when baby can roll away from danger

Question 21

Babinski reflex

Answer 21

stroke sole of foot in J curve from heel upward = fan the toes

Question 22

Babinski reflex diminishes at __ mos.

Answer 22

3

Question 23

magnet reflex

Answer 23

pressure applied to soles of feet, baby will push against pressure

test spinal cord integrity

Question 24

crossed extension reflex

Answer 24

when a newborn is lying supine, if one leg is extended and sole of that foot is irritated by being rubbed with a sharp object, the other leg extends as if trying to push away the hand irritating the other leg

test spinal cord integrity

Question 25

trunk incurvation reflex

Answer 25

when a newborn is prone, and touched along the paravertebral area on the back by a probing finger, the newborn flexes the trunk and swings the pelvis toward the touch

Question 26

landau reflex

Answer 26

supported in prone position by a hand, the newborn should demonstrate some muscle tone, not sag into an inverted U

Question 27

deep tendon reflex

Answer 27

both patellar and a biceps reflex are intact in a newborn

biceps test is for spinal nerves C5 & C6
patellar reflex is a test for spinal nerves L2-L4