Peds: Primitive reflexes

place your fingers in the infants hands and press against palmar surfaces; infant should flex to grab your fingers

palmar grasp reflex (birth to 3-4 mo)

touch the sole of the foot at the base of the toes; infant's toes should curl

plantar grasp reflex (birth to 6-8 mo)

stroke the perioral skin at the corners of the mouth; infant's mouth should open and turn toward the stimulated side and suck

rooting reflex (birth to 3-4 mo)

hold the infant supine supporting them, abruptly lower the body about 1 foot; infant's arms should abduct and extend, hands will open, legs will flex

moro (startle) reflex (birth to 4 mo)

with the infant supine, turn head to one side holding their jaw over one shoulder; the arms/legs on same side head is turned will extend, the opposite will flex

asymmetric tonic neck reflex (birth to 2-3 mo)

support the infant prone with one hand and stroke one side of the back 1 cm from midline from shoulder to buttocks; spine should curve toward the stimmied side

trunk incurvation (galant) reflex (birth to 3-4 mo)

suspend the infant prone with one hand; head should lift up and the spine will straighten

landau reflex (birth - 6 mo)

suspend the infant prone and slowly lower the head toward a surface; arms/legs will extend in protective fashion

parachute reflex (8 mo - does not disappear)

hold the infant around the trunk and lower until the feet touch a flat flat surface; the hips, knees, ankles will extend and the infant will stand up and then sag

positive support reflex (birth/2 mo - 6 mo)

hold the infant upright as in positive support reflex, have one sole touch the tabletop; the hip and knee of that foot will flex and the other will step forward

placing and stepping reflex (birth - varies)