Reflexes Flashcards
Purposes of primitive reflexes
initiate movements that form the building blocks for intentional movements; Present for protection, nutrition, and survival
2 examples of reflexes for nutrition. 1 example of reflex for survival
Nutrition - Sucking & Rooting reflexes; Survival - Moro reflex
Various forms of trauma can inhibit the normal integration of reflexes:
Injuries at birth or after; Drugs ingested in utero or through breast milk; Allergies; Physical and emotional overstimulation; Blinking lights and media overload; Lack of opportunity for movement
Indicates cerebral birth injury if not present of asymmetrical
Moro reflex
Reflex that can indicate CP or other neurological problem
ATNR
Moro Reflex
Onset = birth, integration = 4 months
Gently lift baby’s head off mat. Release head suddenly and allow to fall backward, but quickly supported again. Response: Arms should move sideways with the palms up and the thumbs flexed
Moro reflex- functional/ global implications if not integrated:
Functional implications:
1. Motion sickness
2. poor balance/coordination
3. delayed equilibrium & righting responses
4. auditory hypersensitivity/poor auditory discrimination
5. difficulty w/ transitions
6. hypersensitivity may be seen in only one sense
Global manifestations:
Dislike change, Allergies, lowered immunity, ear infection, parents walk on eggshells, need to control, poor stamina, low self-esteem, difficulty making decisions, “glued” to mom, sedentary
What does the infant automatically do during the birthing process
Push, turn and wriggle movements which are generated by infant reflexes.
These reflexes are progressively integrated following natural birth
In the assessment, what do you always ask about?
BIRTH HISTORY
- baby born to term?
- Method of delivery
- complications?
- Mom’s health history
At what time do most infant reflexes integrate?
in the first year
Do reflexes become more or less dominant
They become less dominant and replaced by conscious movements
What is the best place for development?
In mother/father’s arms
During the 1st year of life, what position do baby’s love to be in
-Lie on tummies and backs
-Move freely
-Be held, moving with adult
They can develop sensory skills relating to touch, balance and proprioception, as well as an emotional attachment
What is a disadvantage of “Baby containers”
alters hip development.
Reflexes in the first year are not fully achieved and problems emerge. Babies are inactive in a fixed position
What is the best place for baby to play
FLOOR!!
What emerges when infant reflexes integrate
postural reflexes emerge
What happens if infant reflexes do NOT integrate
postural reflexes will be negatively affected
When are postural reflexes in place?
by 3-4 years, with some variation
What is one example of a postural reflex
Head-righting reflex
Landau Reflex
Coming in for Landau! Onset= 4 months Integration= 12 months; Test: Suspend infant horizontally in prone ; Response: ext head, neck, and trunk
Landau Reflex helps develop?
posture, sitting and walking, inhibit TLR
What happens if Landau is not integrated?
poor muscle tone, chronic neck/back pn, tension and hyperext of legs with stiffness of lower body, affects development of balance, inability to flex leg correctly, vertical eye tracking, limit field of vision, poor at sports, stiff and awkward movement of lower half, difficulty jumping and hopping
STNR Reflex
Onset: 6 months
Integration: 11 months
Test 1: child is sitting on knees, tip forward
Test 1 response: Neck and arms flex up to protect face, legs separate and extend
Test 2: Place in sitting
Test 2 response: neck and arms extend, LE flex to create a slowed fall
STNR helps develop?
allows to defy gravity and assume quadruped; dissociate UE and LE; integrates when they begin crawling and rocking back and fourth in quadruped
