REFLEXES Flashcards

Question

Disappears

Answer 1

Weakens: ~3 months Disappears: ~6 months (Your table mentions “disappears at a year” but in many paeds texts: palmar grasp is usually gone by ~6 months. So in exam: say 6 months confidently.)

Answer 2

Neurodevelopmental stage marker

Answer 3

Persistent after 6 months → cerebral palsy / UMN lesion Asymmetry → peripheral nerve injury or hemiparesis

Answer 4

Protective reflex.

Answer 5

Shine bright light suddenly / puff of air.

Answer 6

Closes eyes/blinks.

Answer 7

❌ Does NOT disappear (permanent)

Answer 8

Brainstem integrity.

Answer 9

Absent = severe CNS issues / cranial nerve dysfunction.

Answer 10

Midbrain reflex controlling pupil constriction.

Answer 11

Shine penlight into each eye.

Answer 12

Direct + consensual constriction.

Answer 13

At birth (may be sluggish in preterm)

Answer 14

❌ Permanent

Answer 15

unequal pupils / poor reaction → intracranial pathology, CN III dysfunction, drugs

Answer 16

Primitive locomotor pattern.

Answer 17

Hold infant upright with feet touching surface/edge.

Answer 18

“Walking” movements.

Answer 19

Normal brainstem/spinal motor development.

Answer 20

Absent → CNS depression, weakness Persistence → spasticity/UMN lesion

Answer 21

Primitive protective/locomotor reflex.

Answer 22

Hold infant upright, brush dorsum of foot against edge/table.

Answer 23

Lifts foot and places it on surface.

Answer 24

Primitive survival motor pattern.

Answer 25

Place baby face-down in water (carefully).

Answer 26

Coordinated swimming movements.

Answer 27

6–7 months (as shown)

Answer 28

Coordinates early movement, tone patterns.

Answer 29

Lie baby supine, gently turn head to one side.

Answer 30

“Fencing position”: face side arm extends opposite side flexes

Answer 31

4–6 months

Answer 32

Persistence → cerebral palsy / UMN lesion

Answer 33

Normal immature corticospinal tract sign in infants.

Answer 34

Stroke lateral sole from heel to ball then medially.

Answer 35

Big toe dorsiflexion toes fan outward

Answer 36

At birth (even in utero)

Answer 37

9 months to 1 year (your table) (Other texts say up to 18–24 months; but if your lecturer uses this book: say 9–12 months.)

Answer 38

If present in adults → corticospinal tract lesion.

Answer 39

Adult/older child positive Babinski → UMN lesion (stroke, tumor, spinal cord lesion)

Answer 40

Primitive blink reflex pathway.

Answer 41

Tap between eyebrows repeatedly (glabella).

Answer 42

Blinking both eyes, then habituation occurs (blinks reduce)

Answer 43

May be seen in some normal adults.

Answer 44

Persistent blinking without habituation: Parkinson’s disease (Myerson sign) frontal release sign

Answer 45

Primitive hand-mouth reflex (feeding-related).

Answer 46

Apply pressure to both palms.

Answer 47

Opens mouth ± head flexion/rotation.

Answer 48

Neonate (more obvious in preterms from 26 weeks gestation)

Answer 49

Usually by 3–4 months (primitive reflex)

Answer 50

Persistence may suggest cortical dysfunction.

Answer 51

If reflex persists longer than normal: UMN lesion / Cerebral palsy / Delayed cortical maturation

Answer 52

CNS depression (asphyxia, sepsis, drugs, prematurity)

Answer 53

Peripheral injury (fracture clavicle, brachial plexus injury) or hemiparesis

Answer 54

Meaning: primitive startle reflex (brainstem integrity) How to test: sudden head drop (supported) / loud noise Response: arms abduct+extend then adduct+flex (“hug”) Appears: birth Disappears: 2–4 months Abnormal: Absent → severe CNS depression (asphyxia, sepsis, kernicterus) Asymmetry → clavicle fracture / brachial plexus injury Persists >6 months → CP / UMN lesion

Answer 55

Meaning: helps baby find nipple Test: stroke cheek/side of mouth Response: turns head toward stimulus, opens mouth Appears: birth Disappears: 3–4 months Absent → prematurity/CNS depression

Answer 56

Meaning: feeding reflex Test: touch lips/mouth with nipple/finger Response: rhythmic suck (± swallow) Appears: in utero (~32–36w) / present at birth in term Disappears (primitive): 3–4 months (then voluntary) Weak/absent → prematurity, asphyxia, CNS infection, sedation

Answer 57

Meaning: flexor grasp reflex Test: place finger in palm Response: tight grasp Appears: birth Disappears: ~6 months (weakens ~3 months) Persistence → UMN/CP

Answer 58

Meaning: protective reflex Test: bright light/puff of air Response: closes eyes Appears: birth Disappears: ❌ permanent Absent → CNS/CN dysfunction

Answer 59

Meaning: midbrain reflex Test: penlight each eye Response: direct + consensual constriction Appears: birth (may be sluggish in preterm) Disappears: ❌ permanent Abnormal → CN III/brain pathology/drugs

Answer 60

Meaning: early locomotor pattern Test: hold upright, feet touch surface/edge Response: stepping movements Appears: birth Disappears: 3–4 months Persistence → UMN/spasticity

Answer 61

Meaning: primitive placing response Test: brush dorsum of foot against table edge Response: lifts foot and places it Appears: birth Disappears: 3–4 months

Answer 62

Meaning: primitive motor survival pattern Test: prone in water (careful) Response: coordinated swimming movements Appears: birth Disappears: 6–7 months

Answer 63

Meaning: posture/tone reflex Test: turn head to one side in supine Response: face-side arm extends, opposite flexes Appears: birth/early infancy Disappears: 4–6 months Persistence → CP/UMN lesion

Answer 64

Meaning: immature corticospinal tract (normal in infants) Test: stroke lateral sole heel→toe then across ball Response: big toe up + toes fan out Appears: birth Disappears: 9–12 months (some texts up to 2yrs) Adult +Babinski → UMN lesion

Answer 65

Meaning: primitive blink response Test: tap glabella repeatedly Response: blink then habituates Normal: may be present in adults Persistent blinking = Parkinsonism (Myerson sign) / frontal release

Answer 66

Meaning: hand-mouth reflex Test: pressure on both palms Response: opens mouth ± head flexion/rotation Appears: neonate (seen in preterms) Disappears: 3–4 months Persistence → cortical dysfunction

REFLEXES Flashcards

(90 cards)