Primitive Reflexes

At what age does the stepping reflex integrate after birth?

3 - 4 months

What is the stepping reflex (trigger & presentation)?

• Trigger: Held upright with feet supported

• Presentation: High stepping movement w/ regular movement

At what age does the Moro reflex integrate?

3 - 5 months

What is the moro reflex (trigger & presentation)?

• Trigger: Head drop backward

• Presentation: Abd & extension of arms, splaying of fingers, may be followed by arm flexion & adduction

At what age does the ATNR reflex integrate?

4 - 5 months

What is the ATNR (trigger & presentation)?

• Trigger: Turning of head

• Presentation: Facial arm extends & abd, occipital arm flexes and abd

At what age does the palmar grasp reflex integrate?

4 - 7 months

What is the palmar grasp reflex (trigger & presentation)?

• Trigger: Pressure on palm of hand

• Presentation: Flexion of fingers

At what age does the forward protective reaction appear?

6 months

What is the forward protective reaction (trigger & presentation)?

• Trigger: Place hand on infant’s back & push them forward

• Presentation: Infant extends arm forward and supports self

At what age does side protective reaction appear?

6 - 8 months

What is the side protective reaction (trigger & presentation)?

• Trigger: Place hands on infant’s hips & tilt them 45° laterally

• Presentation: Infant extends arm to side and supports self

At what age does STNR appear?

4 - 6 months after full term delivery

At what age does STNR integrate?

8 - 12 months

What is the STNR (trigger & presentation)?

• Trigger: Flexion or extension of head

• Presentation: Head flexion → arms flex & hips extend; Head extension → arms extend & hips flex

At what age does plantar grasp integrate?

9 months

What is the plantar grasp reflex (trigger & presentation)?

• Trigger: Supported standing on feet or pressure to sole of foot

• Presentation: flexion of toes (curl)

At what age does the backward protective reaction appear?

10 months

What is the backward protective reaction (trigger & presentation)?

• Trigger: Place hand on infant’s chest & push them backwards

• Presentation: Infant extends arm backward and supports self

At what age does the Landau reflex appear?

4 - 5 months after full term delivery

At what age does the Landau reflex integrate?

1 year

What is the Landau reflex (trigger & presentation)?

• Trigger: Infant is suspended horizontally (in prone)

• Presentation: Total body extension (airplane)