FOOT REFLEXES IN NEONATES

-

What is withdrawal reflex?

Brisk flexion of the limb which occurs in response to a noxious stimulus, such as a pin prick applied to the sole of the foot. 
It is commonly unobtainable in children with a meningomyelocele. It may be absent or weak in a baby born as a breech with extended legs.

What is crossed extension reflex?

It is usually elicited by holding one leg extended at the knee and applying firm pressure to the sole or stroking it on the same side.
The free leg flexes, adducts and then extends, giving the impression of attempting to push away the stimulating agent. 
                                                 

It is not normally obtained after the first month. It may be obtained in the preterm baby, but the adduction
component of the reflex does not appear until the 37th week of gestation.

What are hip reflexes?

Flexing one leg at the hip causes flexion of the other leg.

On application of strong pressure to the femoral nerve in the inguinal canal the contralateral and less often the homolateral leg extends. 

A flexion reflex in response to strong inguinal pressure has been described as a sign of meningitis.

What is placing and walking reflex?
The placing or limb placement reaction is elicited by bringing the anterior aspect of the tibia or ulna against the edge of a table. The child lifts the leg up to step onto the table, or elevates the arm to place the hand on the table.
                                    
The reflex is constantly present at birth in full-term babies weighing over 1800 g, and after the fi rst 24 hours in preterm babies weighing over 1700 g.

The walking or stepping reflex  is obtained by holding the baby upright over a table, so that the sole of the foot presses against the table. This instates reciprocal flexion and extension of the legs, simulating walking.
                                    
Owing to the action of the adductor muscles, one leg often gets caught behind the other. This must not be confused with adductor spasm. 

A walking reflex can be demonstrated in preterm babies, but they differ from full-term babies
in walking on their toes. 

The walking reflex disappears in normal children by the age of 5 or 6 weeks, but can be demonstrated for several more weeks if the baby’s head is extended when his foot is fl at on the couch.

What is Heel Reflex? 

Percussion of the heel or pressure on the sole of the foot causes extension of the limb.

What is the Magnet Reflex?

When the child is supine the examiner’s finger is pushed against the sole of the foot, and the knee and hip flex, and as the finger is withdrawn, the foot follows the finger.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Congenital Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis

-
Image
What are the parts of pylorus? The incisura angularis divides the stomach into a body to the left and a pyloric portion to the right. The sulcus intermedius further divides the pyloric portion of the stomach: the pyloric vestibule to the left, denoted by an outward convexity of the greater curvature. The pyloric antrum or pyloric canal to the right The pyloric antrum is 2.5 cm and terminates in pyloric orifice into duodenum.   What happens to the normal anatomical structural in CHPS? In infants with IHPS, the pyloric ring is no longer identifiable as a clearly definable separation between the normally distensible pyloric antrum and the duodenal cap. Instead, a channel of variable length (1.5–2.0 cm) corresponding to the pyloric canal separates the normally distensible portion of the antrum from the duodenal cap. ·          Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis  was first fully described by  Harald Hirschsprung  i...
Read more

Febrile Seizure: Review

-
Image
Febrile Seizures   What is febrile seizure? Febrile seizures are seizures that are caused by a sudden spike in body temperature with fevers greater than 38C or 100.4F, with no other underlying seizure-provoking causes or diseases such as the central nervous system (CNS) infections, electrolyte abnormalities, drug withdrawal, trauma, genetic predisposition or known epilepsy. There shouldn't be any prior history of afebrile seizure as in such case the fever might be the cause of breakthrough seizure. however , there are no consensus regarding inclusion or exclusion of children with neurodevelopment disorder such as Autism spectrum disorder which has the predisposition to seizures. Age of presentation: As per American academy of Pediatrics: 6 months to 5 years (however cases unto 7 years of age have been diagnosed as FS) As per earlier definition ILAE - infant up to age of 1 month can be diagnosed as FS. As per NIH (National Institute of Health) children between 3 months and 5 years ...
Read more

Treatment of Wilson disease

-
Image
 What is the aim of treatment of Wilson disease? Removal or copper deposited in various organ and Prevention of reaccumulating. Along with the pharmacological therapy people with Wilson disease should reduce the consumption of Copper containing food items.  For Clinical features and diagnosis of Wilson Disease  First introduced in 1956 AD and still the standard of treatment. How does it act? The sulfhydryl group in d-penicillamine chelates copper removes the copper from the tissue and out of the body via urinary excretion. It can also induce the endogenous hepatic metallothionein, a cytosolic metal-binding protein, which sequesters copper and thereby limiting damage to the liver.   How penicillamine is absorbed? Its absorption is decreased by as much as 50 percent when taken with food. Thus, it should be taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after meal. What is the dose of D-penicillamine? The drug is introduced at a dose of 250 to 500 mg/day and then increased ...
Read more