Reflexes

Question 1

Palmer Grasp

Answer 1

Type: Primitive Reflex
Stimulus: Palm Stimulated
Response: 4 fingers close
Duration: 5 mths gestation - 4 mths 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

Question 2

Sucking

Answer 2

Type: Primitive
Stimulus: Touch of lips
Response: Sucking action
Duration: in utero- 3 mths postpartum
Concerns: No reflex problematic for nutrition
Other: Often in conjunction with searching reflex

Question 3

Search

Answer 3

Type: Primitive
Stimulus: Touch cheek
Response: Turn head into toward stimuli
Duration: Weeks prenatal - 3 mths 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

Question 4

Moro

Answer 4

Type: Primitive
Stimulus: Suddenly but gently lower babies head or hit surface besides baby
Response: Arms and legs extend
Duration: Prenatal - 4-6 mths 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; Precedes startle reflex

Question 5

Startle

Answer 5

Type: Primitive
Stimulus: Suddenly but gently lower babies head or hit surface besides baby
Response: Arms and legs flex
Duration: 2-3 maths after Moro disappears - 1 yr
Concerns:
Other: Less severe startle reflexes elicited
through lifespan

Question 6

Asymmetric Tonic Neck

Answer 6

Type: Primitive
Stimulus: Prone/supine position, turn head to one side
Response: Limbs flex on one side, extend on other side
Duration: After birth - 3 mths
Concerns: Facilitates bilateral body awareness; Facilitates hand-eye coordination
Other: Also called ‘bow and arrow’ or ‘fencer’s’
position

Question 7

Symmetric Tonic Neck

Answer 7

Type: Primitive
Stimulus: Baby sitting up and tip forward/ backward
Response: Neck and arms flex, legs extend/ Neck and arms extend, legs flex
Duration: After birth – 3 mths
Concerns: Persistence may impede many motor skills
and cause spinal flexion deformities
Other:

Question 8

Planter Grasp

Answer 8

Type: Primitive
Stimulus: Touching the ball of foot
Response: Toes grasp 
Duration: Birth - 1 yr
Concerns: 
Other: Must disappear before the baby can stand or walk. Issue of shoes versus no shoes?

Question 9

Stepping

Answer 9

Type: Postural
Stimulus: Infant upright with feet touching surface
Response: Legs lift and descend
Duration: After birth – 5-6 mths
Concerns: Essential forerunner to walking
Other: Sometimes called walking reflex. Developmental changes in reflex over tim

Question 10

Crawling

Answer 10

Type: Postural
Stimulus: Prone position on surface, stroke alternate feet
Response: Legs and arms move in crawling action
Duration: Birth – 3-4 mths
Concerns: Precursor to later voluntary creeping
Other:

Question 11

Swimming

Answer 11

Type: Postural
Stimulus: Infant held horizontally
Response: Arms and legs move in coordinated swimming type action
Duration: 2 weeks after birth – 5 months
Concerns:
Other: Recognition of reflex led to popularity of
infant swim programs

Question 12

Head Righting

Answer 12

Type: Postural
Stimulus: Supine, turn body in either direction
Response: Head “rights” itself with the body
Duration: 1 - 6 mths
Concerns: Related to voluntary rolling movements
Other:

Question 13

Body Righting

Answer 13

Type: Postural
Stimulus: Supine, turn head in either direction
Response: Body “rights” itself with the head
Duration: 5 mths - 1 yr
Concerns: Related to voluntary rolling movements
Other:

Question 14

Parachuting

Answer 14

Type: Postural
Stimulus: Off balance in upright position
Response: Protective movement in direction of fall
Duration: 4 mths - 1 yr
Concerns: Assessed in preterm babies as markers of neurological development; Related to upright posture
Other: Also called propping reflex; Occurs downward, sideways, & backward

Question 15

Labyrinthine

Answer 15

Type: Postural or primitive
Stimulus: Baby held upright, tilted in one direction
Response: Baby tilts head in opposite direction
Duration: 2-3 mths - 1 yr
Concerns: Related to upright posture
Other: Also considered primitive reflex

Question 16

Pull up

Answer 16

Type: Postural
Stimulus: Sitting/standing, hold hands, tip in one direction
Response: Arms flex or extend in to maintain upright position
Duration: 3 mth- 1 yr
Concerns: Related to upright postur
Other: