Pediatric Reflexes

Question 1

List the stimulus, response and normal age of response for the Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR).

Answer 1

Stimulus: Head position, turned to one side
Response: Arm and leg on face side are extended, arm and leg on scalp side are flexed, spine curved with convexity toward face side.
Normal age of response: Birth to 6 months

Question 2

List 5 things that ATNR can interfere with if present.

Answer 2

Feeding 
Visual tracking
Midline/Bilateral use of hands
Rolling 
Development of crawling

Question 3

List the stimulus, response and normal age of response for the Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR).

Answer 3

Stimulus: Head position, flexion or extension
Response: When head is in flexion, arms are flexed, legs extended. When head is in extension, arms are extended, legs are flexed.
Normal age of response: 6 to 8 months

Question 4

List 5 things that STNR can interfere with if present.

Answer 4

Ability to prop on arms in prone position
Attaining and maintaining hand and knees position
Crawling reciprocally
Sitting balance when looking around
Use of hands when looking at object in hands in sitting position

Question 5

List the stimulus, response and normal age of response for the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR).

Answer 5

Stimulus: Position of the labyrinthine in inner ear; reflected by head position
Response: In supine, body and extremities are held in extension; in prone, body and extremities are held in flexion
Normal age of response: Birth to 6 months

Question 6

List 3 things that TLR can interfere with if present.

Answer 6

Ability to initiate rolling
Ability to prop on elbows with extended hips in prone
Ability to flex trunk and hips to come to a sitting position from supine position

Question 7

List the stimulus, response and normal age of response for the Galant reflex.

Answer 7

Stimulus: Touch to skin along spine from shoulder to hip
Response: Lateral flexion of trunk to side of stimulus
Normal age of response: 30 weeks gestation to 2 months

Question 8

List 2 things that the Galant reflex can interfere with if present.

Answer 8

Development of sitting balance

Can lead to scoliosis

Question 9

List the stimulus, response and normal age of response for the palmar grasp reflex.

Answer 9

Stimulus: Pressure in palm or ulnar side of hand
Response: Flexion of fingers causing strong grip
Normal age of response: Birth to 4 months

Question 10

List 2 things that the palmar grasp reflex can interfere with if present.

Answer 10

Ability to grasp and release objects voluntarily

Weight bearing on open hand for propping, crawling, protective responses

Question 11

List the stimulus, response and normal age of response for the plantar grasp reflex.

Answer 11

Stimulus: Pressure to base of foot
Response: Toe flexion
Normal age of response: 28 weeks of gestation to 9 months

Question 12

List 2 things that the plantar grasp reflex can interfere with if present.

Answer 12

Ability to stand with feet flat on surface

Balance reactions and weight shifting in standing

Question 13

List the stimulus, response and normal age of response for the rooting reflex.

Answer 13

Stimulus: Touch on cheek
Response: Turning head to same side with mouth open
Normal age of response: 28 weeks of gestation to 3 months

Question 14

List 3 things that the rooting reflex can interfere with if present.

Answer 14

Oral-motor development
Development of midline control of head
Optical righting, visual tracking, and social interaction

Question 15

List the stimulus, response and normal age of response for the moro reflex.

Answer 15

Stimulus: Head dropping into extension suddenly for a few inches
Response: Arms abduct with fingers open, then cross trunk into adduction; cry
Normal age of response: 28 weeks of gestation to 5 months

Question 16

List the stimulus, response and normal age of response for the startle reflex.

Answer 16

Stimulus: Loud sudden noise
Response: Similar to Moro response, but elbows remain flexed and hands closed
Normal age of response: 28 weeks of gestation to 5 months

Question 17

List the stimulus, response and normal age of response for the positive support reflex.

Answer 17

Stimulus: Weight placed on balls of feet when upright
Response: Stiffening of legs and trunk into extension
Normal age of response: 35 weeks of gestation to 2 months

Question 18

List 3 things that the moro reflex can interfere with if present.

Answer 18

Balance reactions in sitting
Protective responses in sitting
Eye hand coordination, visual tracking

Question 19

List 4 things that the startle reflex can interfere with if present.

Answer 19

Sitting balance
Protective response in sitting
Eye hand coordination, visual tracking
Social interaction, attention

Question 20

List 3 things that the positive support reflex can interfere with if present.

Answer 20

Standing and walking
Balance reactions and weight shift in standing
Can lead to contractures of ankles into plantar flexion

Question 21

List the stimulus, response and normal age of response for the walking/stepping reflex.

Answer 21

Stimulus: Supported upright position with soles of feet on firm surface
Response: Reciprocal flexion/extension of legs
Normal age or response: 38 weeks of gestation to 2 months

Question 22

List 3 things that the walking/stepping reflex can interfere with if present.

Answer 22

Standing and walking

Balance reactions and weight shift in standing Development of smooth, coordinated reciprocal movements of LEs