Neonatal Reflexes
When an infant's cheek is stroked, they turn their head toward the touch and open their mouth to feed.
What is the rooting reflex?
This first stage of prenatal development spans from conception through the first two weeks of pregnancy.
What is the germinal stage?
Maria gently brushes her baby's lips, and the baby immediately begins to feed without needing instruction.
What is the sucking reflex?
"Newborn reflexes disappear within the first year of life as the brain's cortex matures." (State True or False and why).
What is True? (Reflexes fade as voluntary motor control develops.)
"The zygote stage lasts from week 9 of pregnancy until birth."
What is replacing 'zygote' with 'fetal'? (or changing 'week 9 until birth' to 'conception to week 2')
This reflex causes a baby to arch their back, fling their arms out, and pull them back in when startled by a loud noise or sudden movement.
What is the Moro reflex?
During this stage (weeks 3 through 8), major organs and body systems begin to form, making the organism most vulnerable to teratogens.
What is the embryonic stage?
An ultrasound at 12 weeks shows clear movement, distinct facial features, and identifiable gender features.
What is the fetal stage?
"The heartbeat first begins during the fetal stage of development." (State True or False and why).
What is False? (The heart begins beating during the embryonic stage.)
"The Moro reflex occurs when an infant turns their head toward a cheek stroke."
What is replacing 'Moro reflex' with 'rooting reflex'?
When a finger or object is placed in an infant's palm, they automatically wrap their fingers tightly around it.
What is the palmar grasp reflex?
Spanning from week 9 until birth, this stage is characterized by rapid growth, bone development, and refined body functions.
What is the fetal stage?
A doctor brushes the bottom of a 3-month-old's foot while held upright, causing the baby to lift one foot after the other as if walking.
What is the stepping reflex?
"Involuntary reflexes in newborns serve zero evolutionary or survival purpose." (State True or False and why).
What is False? (Reflexes like rooting and sucking are critical for infant feeding and survival.)
"During the germinal stage, the placenta and organ systems are fully developed."
What is replacing 'germinal stage' with 'embryonic/fetal stage'?
When the sole of a newborn's foot is stroked, their big toe moves upward and the other toes fan out.
What is the Babinski reflex?
This hollow sphere of cells forms during the germinal stage before implanting into the uterine wall.
What is a blastocyst?
A pregnant mother contracts a virus during week 5 of pregnancy, causing developmental heart defects in the organism.
What is exposure during a critical period of the embryonic stage?
"Teratogens cause equal structural harm to the developing organism regardless of when exposure occurs during pregnancy." (State True or False and why).
What is False? (Exposure during the embryonic stage causes the most severe structural damage.)
"The Babinski reflex causes an infant's toes to curl downward when the sole of the foot is stroked."
What is replacing 'curl downward' with 'fan out and extend upward'?
Also known as the "fencer's pose," this reflex occurs when a baby's head is turned to one side, causing that arm to stretch out while the opposite arm bends
What is the tonic neck reflex (or asymmetrical tonic neck reflex)?
Reached around 22 to 26 weeks, this milestone refers to the point at which a fetus has a reasonable chance of surviving outside the womb.
What is the age of viability?
A pediatrician places a light object against an infant's foot and notes the toes curling downward inward.
What is the plantar reflex?
"The presence of primitive reflexes in a 3-year-old child is a normal sign of motor development." (State True or False and why).
What is False? (Persistence of primitive reflexes past infancy indicates potential neurological issues.)
"Implantation of the blastocyst into the uterine wall marks the end of the fetal stage."
What is replacing 'fetal stage' with 'germinal stage'?