Medical Health Encyclopedia

Infantile reflexes

The TONIC NECK REFLEX is elicited when the head of a relaxed child, lying on his back, is rotated to the side. The arm toward which the infant is facing extends straight away from the body with the hand partially open, while the arm on the side away from the face is flexed and the fist is clenched tightly. Reversing the direction in which the face is turned reverses the position. The tonic neck position is often described as the fencer's position because it resembles the stance of a fencer.

The GRASP REFLEX is elicited by placing a finger on the infant's open palm. The hand will close around the finger. Attempting to remove the finger causes the grip to tighten. Newborn infants have strong grasps and can almost be lifted from the examination table if both hands are used.

The ROOTING REFLEX is elicited by stroking the cheek. The infant will turn toward the side that was stroked and begin to make sucking motions with its mouth.

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The PARACHUTE REFLEX occurs in the slightly older infant, and is elicited by holding the child upright then rotating the body quickly face forward (as if falling). The arms are reflexively extended as if to break a fall even though this reflex appears long before walking.

The presence of an infantile reflex after the age at which the reflex normally disappears can be a sign of brain damage or damage to the nervous system.

Common Causes:

Abnormal presence of infantile reflexes can occur in adults with:

• stroke
• brain damage from trauma

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