Prenatal Stages & Milestones
Neonatal Reflexes
Myth or Fact?
Real Life & Environmental Factors
Spot the Error
100
This is the shortest prenatal period, lasting from fertilization until the blastocyst implants into the uterus wall (around 2 weeks).
What is the Germinal Stage?
100
When a newborn's cheek is stroked, they automatically turn their head toward the touch and open their mouth to feed.
What is the Rooting Reflex?
100
Myth or Fact: Newborn reflexes like rooting and grasping last throughout a person's entire adult life.
What is Myth? (Most neonatal reflexes disappear within the first few months to a year as the cerebral cortex develops).
100
Environmental agents, drugs, or chemicals that cause damage during the prenatal period are broadly classified under this term.
What are Teratogens?
100
The Babinski reflex happens when you touch a baby's cheek, making them turn their head to suck."
What is the Rooting Reflex?
200
During this stage (weeks 3–8), major organs and body systems begin to form, making the organism highly vulnerable to teratogens.
What is the Embryonic Stage?
200
Triggered by a sudden loud noise or feeling like falling, the baby arches its back, throws back its head, and flings out its arms.
What is the Moro Reflex (or Startle Reflex)?
200
Myth or Fact: The placenta acts as a complete protective barrier that stops all harmful chemical substances from reaching the fetus.
What is Myth? (Teratogens such as alcohol, drugs, and viruses can easily cross the placenta).
200
A doctor holds a newborn upright with their feet touching a flat surface, and the baby begins to make rhythmic walking motions. This scenario demonstrates this reflex.
What is the Stepping Reflex?
200
"The correct order of prenatal development stages is Fetal Stage, Germinal Stage, and then Embryonic Stage." (Fix the order).
What is Germinal, Embryonic, Fetal?
300
Spanning from week 9 until birth, this stage is characterized by rapid growth, brain development, and refining body systems.
What is the Fetal Stage?
300
When an object is placed in an infant's palm, their fingers automatically curl around it with a surprisingly firm grip.
What is the Palmar Grasp Reflex?
300
Myth or Fact: A fetus can hear sounds from outside the womb, such as its mother's voice, during the third trimester.
What is Fact? (Auditory system development allows the fetus to hear and respond to external sounds).
300
Exposure to severe maternal stress during pregnancy elevates this stress hormone, which can reduce blood flow to the fetus and affect emotional regulation.
What is Cortisol?
300
"Neonatal reflexes are conscious, voluntary movements learned by the baby shortly after birth." (Fix the error about voluntary/learned movement).
What are involuntary, unlearned (or automatic) responses?
400
Reached around 22–26 weeks of gestation, this term refers to the age at which a fetus has a reasonable chance of surviving outside the womb.
What is the Age of Viability?
400
When the sole of a baby’s foot is stroked, the big toe bends upward and the other toes fan out.
What is the Babinski Reflex?
400
Myth or Fact: If a newborn reflex persists way beyond its expected age, it could be an indicator of neurological issues.
What is Fact? (Persistent reflexes can signal cortical development delays or brain lesions).
400
A baby born before 37 weeks of gestation is clinically referred to by this term.
What is Preterm (or Premature)?
400
"The Proximodistal trend means that development occurs from head to toe." (Correct the direction definition).
What is from the center of the body outward? (Head to toe is Cephalocaudal).
500
This sequence of development describes how prenatal growth unfolds from the head downward toward the feet.
What is the Cephalocaudal Trend (or pattern)?
500
Also known as the "fencer's pose," this reflex occurs when a baby turns their head to one side and extends the arm on that side while flexing the opposite arm.
What is the Tonic Neck Reflex (or Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex)?
500
Myth or Fact: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) can only develop if the mother drinks excessive alcohol every single day of pregnancy.
What is Myth? (There is no safe amount or timing for alcohol consumption during pregnancy).
500
During critical periods of development, exposure to teratogens causes the most damage during this specific prenatal stage because basic organ structures are forming.
What is the Embryonic Stage?
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500
"Teratogens cause identical harm regardless of the dose, heredity, or the gestational age at the time of exposure." (Correct the underlying concept).
What is that teratogen damage depends on dosage, timing/gestational age, and genetics?