Pediatric Reflexes

Question 1

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex [20 weeks gestation, 5 months integration]

Answer 1

Stimulus: Turning of head
Response: Extension of UE and LE to the side a face is turned

Question 2

Rooting [28 weeks gestation, 3 months integration]

Answer 2

Stimulus: Lightly stroke perioral area
Response: movement of head toward stimulus

Question 3

Suck-swallow [28 weeks gestation, 5months integration]

Answer 3

Stimulus: touch inside of mouth
Response: rhythmic sucking and swallowing

Question 4

Palmar Grasp [28 weeks gestation, 7 months integration]

Answer 4

Stimulus: pressure against palm of hand
Response: flexion of fingers

Question 5

Flexor Withdrawal [28 weeks gestation, 7 months integration]

Answer 5

Stimulus: noxious stimulus of bottom foot
Response: ipsilateral extension of toes, ankle dorsiflexion, hip and knee flexion

Question 6

Crossed extension [28 weeks gestation, 2 months integration]

Answer 6

Stimulus: noxious stimulus of bottom foot
Response: ipsilateral LE flexion, contralateral LE extension/ adduction

Question 7

Galant (trunk incurvation) [28 weeks gestation, 3 months integration]

Answer 7

Stimulus: stroke paravertebral skin in prone
Response: ipsilateral incurving of trunk

Question 8

Moro [28 weeks gestation, 5 months integration]

Answer 8

Stimulus: sudden head drop
Response: extension and abduction of UE and open hands with crying. Then flexion and adduction of UE

Question 9

Positive Support [35 weeks gestation, 2 months integration]

Answer 9

Stimulus: feet in contact with floor
Response: bilateral extension of legs allowing for support of BW

Question 10

Stepping reflex [37 weeks gestation, 4 months integration]

Answer 10

Stimulus: supported upright with feet on floor
Response: rhythmic high stepping

Question 11

Landau [4-5 months gestation, 24 months integration]

Answer 11

Stimulus: supported in prone with hands under thorax
Response: head, neck, back, and LE extension

Question 12

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) [4-6 months gestation, months integration]

Answer 12

Stimulus: flexion or extension of Cx
Response: Cx flexion- UE flexion and LE extension. Cx extension- UE extension and LE flexion