Assessing Neonatal Reflexes

To evaluate status during the complete physical assessment. The nurse should test neonatal
reflexes. The char below describes testing methods and normal responses. A weak, absent, or
asymmetrical response is considered abnormal some reflexes (such as the pupillary blin and gag
reflexes) persist throughout life: others (including the dolls eye, sucking, grasp, Babinski, Moro,
Fencing, and Galant reflexes) normally disappears a few weeks or months after birth.

REFLEX TESTING METHOD NORMAL RESPONSES

Babinski Stroke one side of the neonate=s for Neonate hyperextends the toes.
(plantar) upward from the heal and across the ball Dorsiflexes the great toe and fans the toes
of the foot outward.

Blink Momentarily shine a bring the light directly Neonate blinks

(corneal) into the neonates eyes.

Crawl Place the neonate prone on a flat surface Neonate attempts to crawl forward using
the arms and legs

Crossed Position the neonate supine; extend one Neonate swiftly flexes and extends the
Extension leg and stimulate the sole with a light pin opposite leg as though trying to push the
prick or finger flick stimulus away from the other foot.

Dolls Eye with neonate supine, slowly turn the Neonates eyes remain stationary
neonates head to either side

Gallant using a fingernail, gently stroke one side neonate=s trunk curves toward the
of the neonate=s spinal column from the stimulated side
head to the buttocks

Grasp palmer reflex; place a finger in the
neonates palm
Plantar reflex; place a finger against the
base of the neonate=s toe
neonate grasps the finger
neonate=s toes curl downward and grasp
the finger

Moro Suddenly but gently drop the neonate=s
head backward (relative to the trunk)
Neonate extends and abducts all
extremities bilaterally and symmetrically
forms a >c= shape with the thumb and
forefinger; and adducts, then flexes, the
extremities

Pupillary darken the room and shine a penlight Pupils constricts equally bilaterally
(light) directly into the neonates eye for several
seconds

Rooting touch a finger to the neonates cheek or neonate turns the head toward the
the corner of mouth. (The mothers nipple stimulus, opens the mouth and searches
also should trigger this reflex) for the stimulus

Startle make a loud noise near the neonate neonate cries and abducts and flexes all
extremities

stepping hold the neonate in an upright position neonate makes walking motions with both
(automatic and touch one foot lightly to a flat surface feet
walking) (such as the bed)

Sucking place a finger in the neonate=s mouth (the neonate sucks on the finger (or nipple)
mother=s nipple also should trigger this forcefully and rhythmically, sucking is
reflex) coordinated with swallowing