Primitive reflexes

(Infant reflexes)
BY SHALU
THARIWAL
Define
 Involuntary stereotyped movement
responses to a particular stimuli.
 Infant stimuli doesn’t last beyond 1
year.
 May not completely disappear

by maturing the CNS integrated into new movement

Shalu Thariwal
Cont…………
 Age specific
 Diagnostic tools
 Tested carefully
 Valuable for motor delay
 Determine level of neurological
maturation.

Shalu Thariwal
 Classification

Reflex Automatic Midbrain Brainstem Spinal

maturation reaction level level level

Shalu Thariwal
Reflex maturation

Palmer grasp Planter grasp

 S: palm stimulate  S: touch ball of foot

 R: finger close, fist  R: toes grasp, flexion of
 Duration: 5 month of toes
gestation to 4 month  Duration : birth to 1 yr
postpartum

Shalu Thariwal
Cont….
Babinski’s sign
 S: stroke on lateral side of foot
 R: extension of great toe, fanning
 Duration : birth to 4 month
 Concern: test of pyramidal tract

Shalu Thariwal
Landaus reaction

Shalu Thariwal
Name Stimulus Response Duration
(automatic)
Moro’s reflex Lower the head of Arm, leg extend Prenatal to 4
the baby and abduct then month
adduct
Startle Loud noise Arm, leg extend 2 month to 1 yr
and then add
Sucking reflex Touch lips Sucking Upto 3 months

Search reflex Touch cheek Head moves Upto 3 month

toward stimuli
Palmer mental Scratch palm Jaw opens and Birth to 3 month
closes
Palmer Pressure to palm Mouth open, neck 3 months
mandibular flex
Landans reaction Horizontal position Head, leg and 3 to 12 month
spine extends
Parachute Hold with pelvis Abduction of limbs 4 month to 1 yr

Gallants reaction Stimulate Move in same 2- 6 month

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Shalu Thariwal
Brainstem level Stimulus Response Duration
reflexes
Asymmetric Supine, turn Limb flex on Birth to 3 month
tonic neck reflex head to 1 side occiput side and
extend on facial
side
Symmetric tonic a)Sitting , flex Neck and arm Birth to 3 month
neck reflex the head flex, leg extend
b)Sitting and Neck and arm -
head extend ext, leg flex
Tonic Supine and In supine- Birth to 6 month
labyrinthine prone position extensor tone
increased, in
prone flexor
tone increased.
- supporting Hold axilla and Flexion attitude Birth to 4 month
reaction up on the couch
+ Supporting Hold axilla and Extension
reaction above the floor attitude
then on the
couch Shalu Thariwal
ATNR

Shalu Thariwal
 Reflexes….

Midbrain level Stimulus Response Duration

reflexes
Postural Supine, turn body in Head right itself 1-6 month
reflex(head and either direction with the body
body righting)
Supine, turn head in Body right itself -
either direction with the head
Labyrinthine Body held upright, tilt Tilting of head in 2 month to 1 yr
in 1 direction opposite direction
Spinal level
reflexes
Flexor withdrawal Extensor withdrawal Crossed extensor
Stepping and crawling Swimming
walking Shalu Thariwal
Spinal level reflexes
Shalu Thariwal
Delayed milestones

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Shalu Thariwal