Infant reflexes

A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• Y

Infantile reflexes

Moro reflex

(Page 2)

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.

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.

Examples of reflexes that persist into adulthood are:

• Blinking reflex -- you blink your eyes when they are touched or when sudden bright light appears
• Cough reflex -- you cough when your airway is stimulated
• Gag reflex -- you gag when the throat or back of mouth is stimulated
• Sneeze reflex -- you sneeze when nasal passages are irritated
• Yawn reflex - you yawn when the body needs additional oxygen

Abnormal presence of infant reflexes can occur in adults with:

• Brain damage
• Stroke

Review Date: 12/13/2009
Reviewed By: Kimberly G Lee, MD, MSc, IBCLC, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

---

---