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Newborn Reflexes (Tonic Neck or "fencing" (To perform this…
Newborn Reflexes
Tonic Neck or "fencing"
To perform this reflex, have the infant in a supine neutral position and turn the head to one side.
Infants response: with the infant facing left side, arm and leg on that side is extended, while the opposite arm and leg are flexed (Perry et al., 2017).
Complete response disappears by 3-4 months, after 6 weeks if persisent response, may be suggestive of an abnormality (Perry et al., 2017).
Glabellar (Myerson)
With the newborn's eyes open, tap the newborn's forehead, bridge of nose or maxilla.
The infant blinks for first 4-5 taps (Perry et al., 2017).
Continued blinking with repeated taps is suggestive with extrapyramidal signs (Perry et al., 2017).
Rooting
This reflex can be elicited by touching the infant's lip, cheek, or the corner of their mouth either with a nipple or finger (Perry et al., 2017).
The infant would turn their head toward the stimulus and open their mouth - this response may disappear at 3-4 months of age but can be seen up to 1 year (Perry et al., 2017).
Grasp
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Plantar
Perform reflex by placing finger at base of toes (Perry et al., 2017).
Deep Tendon
To perform this reflex, use a finger to percuss patellar, or knee jerk, reflex - rather than using a percussion hammer (Perry et al., 2017).
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Babinski (plantar)
To perform this reflex, start from the heel of the newborn's foot and stroke upward along ball of foot - infants tops will all hyperextend (with dorsiflexion of big toe) (Perry et al., 2017).
Absence of the babinski reflex would require neurological evaluation - typically this reflex disappears within one year (Perry et al., 2017).
Crossed Extension
To perform this reflex, have the infant in supine and extend one leg while pressing down on the knee - causing the free leg to flex, adduct, and attempt to push away (Perry et al., 2017).
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Swallowing
Observing infant feeding without gagging, coughing or vomiting (Perry et al., 2017).
Sucking
Can be elicited by stroking infants tongue with nipple, or by eliciting the rooting reflex (Perry et al., 2017).
Infant would open their mouth and begin to suck on nipple. A gloved finger may also be used to elicit this reflex (Perry et al., 2017).
Moro (or startle)
With infant placed supine on
flat surface, make a loud,
abrupt noise - which will elicit
the startle reflex
(Perry et al., 2017).
Stepping
To perform this reflex, hold the infant vertically upright, under the arms, an allow one foot to touch the table's surface (Perry et al., 2017).
Infants response: The infant will stimulate walking while alternating flexion and extension of the feet (Perry et al., 2017).
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Extrusion
This reflex is performed by depressing the tip of the infants tongue - while the newborn forces tongue outward (Perry et al., 2017). This response typically disappears by the fourth to fifth month (Perry et al., 2017).
Crawling
Have the newborn lie on their abdomen - with elicited response being that the infant makes crawling movements with arms and legs (Perry et al., 2017).
Response should disappear by 6 weeks of age (Perry et al., 2017).
Magnet
With the infant placed in supine, partially flex both lower extremities and apply light pressure with fingers to soles of feet - newborn should press to apply pressure back (Perry et al., 2017).