Newborn Reflexes

Importance of Newborn Reflexes

• Reflexes indicate how well a newborn's nervous system is developing and functioning.
• Known as primitive reflexes, they disappear over time, indicating proper neurological development.

Key Aspects for Exams

1. Know the names of the reflexes.
2. Understand how to elicit a response and what it should look like.
3. Know when these reflexes typically disappear.

Main Reflexes

Grasp Reflexes

• Palmer Grasp:
  • Involves the hand.
  • Elicited by placing a finger on the infant's palm.
  • Response: Hand closes around the finger.
  • Disappears: ~4-6 months.
• Plantar Grasp:
  • Involves the foot.
  • Elicited by placing a finger under the toes.
  • Response: Toes curl around the finger.
  • Disappears: ~9 months to 1 year.

Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex)

• Triggered by a loud noise or unexpected movement.
• Response: Infant throws out arms, palms up, may cry.
• Disappears: ~6 months.

Rooting Reflex

• Triggered by stroking the infant's cheek or side of the mouth.
• Response: Head turns towards the stimulus, mouth opens to suck.
• Disappears: ~4 months.

Sucking Reflex

• Triggered by touching the roof of the mouth.
• Response: Infant begins to suck automatically.
• Disappears: ~4 months (becomes voluntary).

Babinski Reflex

• Triggered by stroking the bottom of the foot from heel upward.
• Response: Big toe dorsiflexes and other toes fan out.
• Disappears: ~1 year.

Crawling Reflex (Bauer Crawling Reflex)

• Triggered by placing the infant on their stomach and applying pressure to the foot.
• Response: Infant pushes against the hand and moves arms and legs in a crawling motion.
• Disappears: A few weeks to a couple of months after birth.

Step Reflex

• Triggered by holding the infant upright with feet touching a surface.
• Response: Infant moves legs as if taking steps.
• Disappears: ~3-4 months.

Tonic Neck Reflex (Fencing Reflex)

• Triggered by turning the infant's head to one side.
• Response: Arm and leg on that side extend, opposite arm and leg flex.
• Disappears: ~4 months.

Conclusion

• Understanding newborn reflexes is crucial for assessing infant neurodevelopment.
• Each reflex has a specific method to elicit and a typical timeframe for disappearance.