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Stoke or touch the infant's cheek or mouth; the infant should respond by searching for and attempting to suck the examiner's finger. |
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if a nipple or finger is placed in the mouth so that it touches the hard palate, the infant should suck vigorously. This reflex is also indicative of functional gag and swallowing reflexes. |
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Stroking the eyelashes results in closure of one or both of the eyes. |
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If the infant is placed in a supine position and the head is turned from side to side, the eyes should move to the opposite side. |
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Holding the infant in a supine position then displacing the body downward a few centimeters causes the infant to extend, then abduct the extremities, with fingers spread in a symmetrical fashion. This may also elicit a cry. |
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When the infant is placed in a supine position and the head is turned to one side with the opposite arm and leg extended and the arm and leg on the same side are flexed. If the head is turned to the other direction, the positioning of the extremities is reversed. This reflex may or may not be present at birth, and its absence is not considered abnormal. This is sometimes called the fencing reflex. |
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If a finger is placed in the palm, the infant should respond by grasping the examiner's finger. The grasp should be symmetrical. If pressure is put on the balls of the feet, the infant should grasp with the toes. |
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Being held upright with feet touching a flat surface causes the infant to make stepping motions. |
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If the infant's foot is stroked on the outside (little toe) edge, the toes fan up and outward. |
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