Developmental Reflexes and Reactions

Vocabulary flashcards detailing specific developmental reflexes and reactions, including their onset, integration, and physiological responses based on lecture notes.

Dominate Reflexes

Reflexes that hold "power" but are not mandatory to perform; they are present when supposed to be during development.

Obligatory Reflexes

Reflexes that are unavoidable and must be performed; they are never considered normal or part of standard developmental reflexes.

Developmental Reflexes

Normal responses that serve a purpose and must occur before the next developmental stage; they typically fade or reduce in influence over time.

Developmental Reactions

Responses that get stronger with practice and persist throughout life, including equilibrium, supporting, and righting reactions.

Integrated

A state where reflexes go away and are no longer distinct movement patterns.

Spontaneous Stepping

Onset: $37$ weeks gestational age; Integration: $2$ months; Response: Alternating, rhythmical stepping movements when held upright with feet touching a surface.

Moro Reflex

Onset: $28$ weeks gestational age; Integration: $5-6$ months; Response: Abduction of upper extremities with extension of elbows, wrists, and fingers, followed by adduction and flexion.

Galant Reflex

Onset: $32$ weeks gestational age; Integration: $2$ months; Response: Brief lateral incurving to the stimulated side when the paravertebral line is touched from the shoulder to the buttocks.

Traction Reflex

Onset: Birth; Integration: $2-5$ months; Response: Flexion of shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingers (flexor synergy) when the child's wrists are pulled into a sitting position.

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)

Onset: $0-2$ months; Integration: $4-6$ months; Response: Extension of the "jaw" arm and leg and flexion of the "skull" arm and leg when the head is turned to one side.

Protective Extension of the Arms (Forward)

Onset: $6-7$ months; Integration: Persists; Response: Arms extend and abduct with fingers spread to break a fall when plunged downward toward a surface.

Protective Extension of the Arms (Lateral)

Onset: $7$ months; Integration: Persists; Response: Abduction of the opposite arm and extension of the elbow, wrist, and fingers in the direction of a sideways push.

Protective Extension of the Arms (Backward)

Onset: $9-10$ months; Integration: Persists; Response: Backward extension of both arms when the child is pushed backward with enough force to lose balance.

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)

Onset: $4-6$ months; Response: Head flexion causes upper extremity flexion and lower extremity extension; head extension causes upper extremity extension and lower extremity flexion.

Landau Reflex

Onset: $3-4$ months; Integration: $12-14$ months; Response: Head extends, back arches with slight concavity upward, and legs partially extend when supported horizontally in prone.

Staggering Reaction

Onset: $15-18$ months; Integration: Persists; Response: Taking steps forward, backward, or sideways to restore the center of gravity when the body is displaced by force.

Neck Righting (Body on Body)

Onset: $4-6$ months; Integration: Inhibited by $5$ years; Response: Head turning followed by segmental rotation of the shoulders, trunk, and pelvis toward the same side.

Neck Righting (Body on Head)

Onset: $4-6$ months; Integration: Inhibited by $4-5$ years; Response: The pectoral girdle and head follow the rotation of the pelvis when a leg is flexed and rotated across the pelvis.

Tilting Reaction

Onset: $6$ months; Integration: Persists; Response: The body flexes against a tilt (concavity upward) on a tilting board, and limbs on the upward side may abduct.

Flexor Withdrawal

Onset: $29-34$ weeks gestational age; Integration: $1-2$ months; Response: Withdrawal of the stimulated leg following a noxious stimulus (e.g., pin prick) to the sole of the foot.

Palmar Grasp

Onset: $0-2$ months; Integration: $3-6$ months; Response: Flexion and grasping of all fingers when deep pressure is applied across the infant's palm from the ulnar side.

Rooting Reflex

Onset: $28$ weeks gestation; Integration: $3$ months; Response: Head turning toward the stimulated side when the skin at the corner of the mouth or lips is stroked.

Sucking Reflex

Onset: $29$ weeks gestation; Integration: $2-5$ months; Response: Rhythmical sucking movements and swallowing when a finger or nipple is placed in the mouth.

Optical Righting Reflex

Onset: Birth to $2$ months; Integration: Persists; Response: The head orients to the vertical position and is maintained when the body is tilted in any direction.

Labyrinthine Head Righting

Onset: $0-6$ months; Integration: Persists; Response: Head orients to the vertical position and adjusts to gravity when the body is tilted anteriorly, posteriorly, or laterally.