REFLEXES OF NEWBORN

 An involuntary response to a stimulus (an involuntary action) called reflex.

1. Sucking Reflex - 

• If cheek of child touch from one side of mouth then neonate turn the head in same direction and start to suck.
• Appear in 14 weeks of intra uterine life.
• Disappear at 4 months if child awakening or 7 month if sleeping.

2. Rooting Reflex - 

• The infant turn his head towards any object that touch his cheek and actively seek the nipple and start to suck.
• It appears at 34 weeks of intra uterine life & disappears at 3-4 month.

3. Swallowing Reflex - 

• Neonate, swallow after sucking.
• Swallowing reflex appears after 34 weeks of intra uterine life.
• New born, born at 32-34 weeks have minor sucking reflex but cannot swallow well, so they have risk of aspiration.

4. Tonic-neck Reflex or Fencing Reflex - 

• If head of new born turn one side, then arm and leg of same side extend & opposite arm & leg are flex.
• Disappear within 3-4 month.
• If this reflex present after 6 months, it is abnormal and which indicate spastic cerebral palsy.

5. Grasp Reflex - 

• New born grasp if any object put on palm (palmar grasp) and soles (planter grasps).
• Present at birth and disappear within 3 month (palmar) and 8 month (planter).
• It may reappear later in life if an individual suffers an injury to the frontal lobes of the brain.

6. Moro's Reflex -  

• When loud voice is made or if new born hold in semi sitting position (45 degree) and then allow the head & trunk to dropped back side (at 30 degree angle) then rapid abduction & extension of the arms and fanning of fingers (making 'C' shape with thumb) occur.
• Disappear within 3 month (in 90% babies).
• Indicate abnormal if present after 6 month.

7. Babinski's Reflex - 

• Gentle stroking of lateral aspect of sole in 'J' shape, cause newborn's big toes to dorsi-flexes downward & fingers are hyper-extend.
• Disappear in 6 month and it is normal under 12 months due to incomplete myelinization of axons.
• It is a normal reflex if in infants under the age of 6 months but indicates a lesion of the pyramidal (corticospinal) tract in older individuals.

8. Doll's eye Reflex - 

• As head is moved to right or left, eyes are lag behind and do not adjust to new position.
• Disappear at 3-4 month.

9. Extrusion Reflex - 

• When tongue is touched or depressed, infant respond by forcing it outward
• Disappear at 4 month.

10. Blinking Reflex - 

• Sudden closing of the eyelids in response to turning of head, loud noises, bright lights or visual threats.
• It doesn't disappear 
• Absence of this reflex occurs in blindness & in injuries to cranial nerves III, V, and VII.

11. Gag Reflex -

• Gagging and vomiting resulting from irritation of the throat or pharynx. It persists lifelong.

Posted in: Child Health Nursing