All of the following reflexes are present in the newborn baby EXCEPT?

AIIMS Raipur - 2017 (Shift-3)

Pediatric Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur - 2017 (Shift-3)

Explanation

The mature pincer grasp is a fine motor skill, not a primitive reflex present at birth.
This skill involves the coordinated use of the thumb and index finger to pick up small objects.
It is a developmental milestone that typically emerges between 8 and 12 months of age, reflecting significant maturation of the nervous system and motor control.
Its absence at birth is a normal finding.

Option A: The sucking reflex is a vital primitive reflex present at birth, essential for feeding and survival.
Option B: The rooting reflex is a key primitive reflex present at birth that helps the infant locate a food source, such as a nipple.
Option D: The pupillary light reflex is present at birth. It is a protective reflex where the pupils constrict in response to light, indicating a functional neurological pathway.

Visual 1: Infographic. A chart showing various newborn reflexes (sucking, rooting, Moro, palmar grasp) with illustrations and the typical age they disappear. This helps differentiate them from later developmental milestones.
Visual 2: Diagram. A side-by-side comparison of the crude palmar grasp seen in newborns and the refined mature pincer grasp of a 10-month-old, highlighting the difference in finger and thumb opposition.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Newborn Reflexes and Developmental Milestones as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Assessing primitive reflexes is a fundamental part of the newborn neurological examination. The presence, strength, and symmetry of these reflexes provide critical information about the health of the central nervous system.
Nurses play a key role in educating new parents about normal developmental milestones. Explaining that skills like the pincer grasp will develop later helps manage expectations and reduces parental anxiety.
The absence or persistence of primitive reflexes beyond their expected timeframe can be a red flag for neurological disorders, prompting the need for further evaluation.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is 'newborn reflexes'.
Pay close attention to the keyword 'EXCEPT'. This means you are looking for the option that does not fit with the others; three are present at birth, and one is not.
Evaluate each option based on your knowledge of neonatal development.
Differentiate between 'primitive reflexes' (innate, automatic responses present at birth for survival) and 'developmental milestones' (skills acquired over time as the child grows and develops).
Recall that sucking, rooting, and pupillary reflexes are all present and functional in a healthy term newborn.
Recognize that the 'mature pincer grasp' is a complex fine motor skill that requires months of development and is not present at birth. This makes it the correct exception.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Newborn Reflexes and Developmental Milestones
Stem keywords: newborn baby, reflexes
Lead-in keywords: EXCEPT
Negative lead-in flag: The question uses the word 'EXCEPT', requiring identification of the option that is NOT present in a newborn.

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