different reflexes

8/19/2019 Different Reflexes

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Different

Reflexes

Description and how to elicit Duration

Blink

Reflex

A blink reflex in a newborn serves the same

purpose as it does in an adult—to protect the eye

from any object coming near it by rapid eyelid

closure. t may be elicited by shining a strong lightsuch as a flashlight or an otoscope light on an eye.

A sudden movement toward the eye sometimes

can elicit the blink reflex.

!ermanent

Rooting

Reflex

f the cheek is brushed or stroked near the corner

of the mouth" a newborn infant will turn the head

in that direction. #his reflex serves to help a

newborn find food$ when a mother holds the child

and allows her breast to brush the newborn%s

cheek" the reflex makes the baby turn toward the

breast.

#he reflex disappears at about

the sixth week of life. At about

this time" newborn eyes focus

steadily" so a food source can

be seen" and the reflex is no

longer needed.

&ucking

Reflex

'hen a newborn%s lips are touched" the baby

makes a sucking motion. #he reflex helps a

newborn find food$ when the newborn%s lips touch

the mother%s breast or a bottle" the baby sucks and

so takes in food.

#he sucking reflex begins to

diminish at about ( months of

age. t disappears immediately

if it is never stimulated.

&wallowin

g Reflex

#he swallowing reflex in a newborn is the same as

in the adult. )ood that reaches the posterior

portion of the tongue is automatically swallowed.

*ag" cough" and snee+e reflexes also are present in

newborns to maintain a clear airway in the event

that normal swallowing does not keep the pharynx

free of obstructing mucus

!ermanent

,xtrusion

Reflex

A newborn extrudes any substance that is placed

on the anterior portion of the tongue. #his

protective reflex prevents the swallowing of

inedible substances.

t disappears at about - months

of age. ntil then" the infant

may seem to be spitting out or

refusing solid food placed in

the mouth.

!almar

*rasp

Reflex

/ewborns grasp an object placed in their palm by

closing their fingers on it. 0ature newborns grasp

so strongly that they can be raised from a supine

position and suspended momentarily from an

examiner%s fingers.

#his reflex disappears at about

( weeks to 1 months of age. A

baby begins to grasp

meaningfully at about 1

months of age.

&tep

2'alk34in4

!lace

Reflex

/ewborns who are held in a vertical position with

their feet touching a hard surface will take a few

5uick" alternating steps

#his reflex disappears by 1

months of age. By - months"

babies can bear a good portion

of their weight unhindered by

this reflex.


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!lacing

Reflex

#he placing reflex is similar to the step4inplace

reflex" except that it is elicited by touching the

anterior surface of the lower part of a newborn%s

leg against a hard surface such as the edge of a

bassinet or table. #he newborn makes a few 5uick

lifting motions" as if to step onto the table" becauseof the reflex.

#his reflex disappears by 1

months of age.

!lantar

*rasp

Reflex

'hen an object touches the sole of a newborn%s

foot at the base of the toes" the toes grasp in the

same manner as do the fingers.

#his reflex disappears at about

6 to 7 months of age in

preparation for walking.

8owever" it may be present

during sleep for a longer

period.

#onic /eck

Reflex.

'hen newborns lie on their backs" their heads

usually turn to one side or the other. #he arm and

the leg on the side toward which the head turnsextend" and the opposite arm and leg contract. #he

movement is most evident in the arms but may

also be observed in the legs. f you turn a

newborn%s head to the opposite side" he or she will

often change the extension and contraction of legs

and arms accordingly. #his is also called a boxer

or fencing reflex" because the position simulates

that of someone preparing to box or fence. nlike

many other reflexes" the tonic neck reflex does not

appear to have a function. t does stimulate eye

coordination" because the extended arm moves in

front of the face. t may signify handedness.

#he reflex disappears between

the second and third months of

life.

0oro

Reflex

A 0oro 2startle3 reflex can be initiated by startling

a newborn with a loud noise or by jarring the

bassinet. #he most accurate method of eliciting the

reflex is to hold newborns in a supine position and

allow their heads to drop backward about 9 inch.

n response to this sudden head movement" they

abduct and extend their arms and legs. #heir

fingers assume a typical :;< position. )inally"

they swing their arms into an embrace positionand pull up their legs against their abdomen

2adduction3. #he reflex simulates the action of

someone trying to ward off an attacker" then

covering up to protect himself.

t is strong for the first 6 weeks

of life and then fades by the

end of the fourth or fifth

month" at the same time an

infant can roll away from

danger.

Babinski

Reflex

'hen the sole of the foot is stroked in an inverted

:=< curve from the heel upward" a newborn fans

t remains positive 2toes fan3

until at least 1 months of age"


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the toes 2positive Babinski sign3. #his is in

contrast to the adult" who flexes the toes. #his

reaction occurs because nervous system

development is immature.

when it is supplanted by the

down4turning or adult flexion

response.

&wimming

Reflex

#he swimming reflex involves placing an infant

face down in a pool of water. #he infant will beginto paddle and kick in a swimming motion.

#he reflex disappears between

->( months.

!rone

crawl

reflex

t can can be stimulated by placing the neonate

prone 2face down3 on a flat surface. #he neonate

will attempt to crawl forward using the arms and

legs.

#his reflex will be inhibited by

three to four months of age.

Doll?s eye

reflex

Doll?s eye reflex can be noted with the infant

supine 2lying on the back3 and slowly turning the

head to either side. #he infant?s eyes will remain

stationary.

#his reflex should disappear

between three to four months

of age.

*alant

reflex

*alant reflex is stimulated by placing the infant on

the stomach or lightly supporting him or her under

the abdomen with a hand and" using a fingernail"

gently stroking one side of the neonate?s spinal

column from the head to the buttocks. #he

response occurs with the neonate?s trunk curving

toward the stimulated side.

#his reflex can become

inhibited at any time between

the first and third month.

!arachute

2forward3

reflex

f the baby is held in a position where he is

dropped forward" he will outstretch his hands. #his

is one of the baby milestones that is protective forfalling.

#his occurs from about 7

months of age and persists.

Alvare+" Ronilyn A. B&/ 4B /ovember 96" @9

!illitteri" A. 2@93. Maternal & Child Health Nursing: Care of the Childbearing and Child

Rearing Family (6 th Ed.). !hiladelphia$ Cippincott 'illiams 'ilkins.

Bennington" C. 2@93. Neonatal Reflees ! baby" #efinition" #es$ri%tion" Common %roblems. Healthof$hildren.$om. Retrieved 9E /ovember @9" from

http$FFwww.healthofchildren.comF/4GF/eonatal4Reflexes.html


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different reflexes

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