Rooting Reflex: Difference between revisions

mNo edit summary
(added link to sucking reflex)
 
(34 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 4: Line 4:
'''Top Contributors''' - {{Special:Contributors/{{FULLPAGENAME}}}}      
'''Top Contributors''' - {{Special:Contributors/{{FULLPAGENAME}}}}      
</div>  
</div>  
<div class="noeditbox"> This article or area is currently under construction and may only be partially complete. Please come back soon to see the finished work! ({{REVISIONDAY}}/{{REVISIONMONTH}}/{{REVISIONYEAR}}) </div>




== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
The rooting reflex is the automatic head-turning response to the stimulus of face, mouth, or cheek touching. Infant apes will involuntarily orient their face toward the stimulation, often the mother’s nipple, searching for the stimulating object with an open mouth.<ref name=":0">Kreutzer J. In F.-A.-S. Test, JS Kreutzer, J. DeLuca, & B. Caplan. Encyclopedia of clinical neuropsychology. 2011.https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_1905</ref>
The rooting reflex is an innate response of the head due to the stimulation of the face, mouth, or cheek by touching/stroking (the head is turned towards the side of the stimulus).<ref name=":0">Kreutzer J. In F.-A.-S. Test, Kreutzer JS, DeLuca J, Caplan B. eds. [https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3 Encyclopedia of clinical neuropsychology]. New York, NY ; Heidelberg : Springer, 2011.</ref> It is a [[brainstem]] mediated primitive motor reflex also called the frontal release reflex.


During development, the rooting reflex appears in utero, is present at birth, and disappears in early development. It is a primitive reflex present in newborn apes to facilitate feeding via maternal milk secretion. <ref name=":0" />
This reflex has also been observed in the apes and other mammals.<ref name=":0" />


The rooting reflex is related to the suckling reflex, the automatic sucking response to any pressure to the newborn mammal’s mouth. The rooting reflex has primarily been studied in humans, although it is evident in other apes including chimpanzees.<ref name=":0" />
The presence of the Rooting reflex has also been linked to altriciality-meaning that the newborns are unable to feed themselves (unable to source for food) with the help of locomotion. Therefore in response, the caregiver feeds the young one taking the reflex as a cue.<ref>Dunsworth HM, Warrener AG, Deacon T, Ellison PT, Pontzer H. [https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.1205282109 Metabolic hypothesis for human altriciality.] Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2012 Sep 18;109(38):15212-6.</ref>


== Stimulus ==
== Stimulus ==
[[File:Rooting.gif|center|frameless|269x269px]]
The reflex commences when the corner of an infant’s mouth is stimulated by '''touching/stroking'''. <ref name=":1">Yoo H, Mihaila DM. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557636/ Rooting Reflex]. InStatPearls [Internet] 2021 May 1. StatPearls Publishing.</ref>
It initiates when the corner of an infant’s mouth is stimulated by touching or stroking <ref name=":1">Yoo H, Mihaila DM. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557636/ Rooting Reflex]. InStatPearls [Internet] 2021 May 1. StatPearls Publishing.</ref>


== Response ==
== Response ==
The newborn will turn his or her head towards the stimulus and open the mouth with tongue thrusting.<ref name=":1" />
The newborn will '''turn their head towards the stimulus(finger or nipple)''' and '''open the mouth wide with [[tongue]] thrusting''' (tongue sits too forward in the mouth).<ref name=":1" />
[[File:Rooting reflex muskan (2).jpg|center|frameless|500x500px]]


== Duration ==
== Duration ==
The rooting reflex is present at birth (approximately 28 weeks gestation) and lasts about 4 to 6 months until the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex develops and suppresses the primitive motor reflexes.<ref name=":1" />
The rooting reflex is present at birth (around 28 weeks of gestation) and disintegrates about 4 to 6 months (until the [[Frontal Lobe|frontal lobe]] of the [[Cerebral Cortex|cerebral cortex]] matures.)<ref name=":1" />
 
{{#ev:youtube|b0CLcNtOOEQ}}<ref>betapicts. Baby Rooting Reflex / Reaction. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0CLcNtOOEQ&t=9s</ref>
 
The healthcare provider strokes the corner of the mouth of the baby and the infant turns their head towards the stimulated side. For eg., if the right side of the corner of the mouth is stimulated then the baby turns its head to the right side.


== Difference between Sucking and Rooting Reflex ==
== Difference between Sucking and Rooting Reflex ==


* It is important to differentiate between the rooting reflex and the sucking reflex, which is also involved in nutritional intake. <ref name=":2">Sohn M, Ahn Y, Lee S. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3279472/ Assessment of primitive reflexes in high-risk newborns. Journal of clinical medicine research.] 2011 Dec;3(6):285.</ref>
* It's critical to differentiate between the rooting reflex and the [[Sucking Reflex|sucking reflex]], as the latter is also involved in the nourishment intake of the infant. <ref name=":2">Sohn M, Ahn Y, Lee S. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3279472/ Assessment of primitive reflexes in high-risk newborns. Journal of clinical medicine research.] 2011 Dec;3(6):285.</ref>
* While the rooting reflex occurs when the corner of a baby’s mouth is stimulated, the sucking reflex initiates when the roof of his or her mouth is stimulated.<ref name=":2" />
* The major difference in both reflexes is that the rooting reflex occurs when the corner of a baby’s mouth is stimulated, while the sucking reflex initiates when the roof of their mouth is stimulated.<ref name=":2" />
* The sucking reflex usually appears around 30 to 35 weeks. The sucking reflex is responsible for the coordination of breathing with swallowing, which starts to develop around 37 weeks<ref name=":2" />
* The sucking reflex is usually observed around 30 to 35 weeks and is in charge of the regulation of '''breathing with the swallowing''' mechanism, which starts to emerge around 37 weeks<ref name=":2" />


== Clinical Significance ==
== Clinical Significance ==


* The rooting reflex is essential for survival and growth as it helps the newborn find the source of food (breast or bottle) and initiate feeding.<ref>Glodowski KR, Thompson RH, Martel L. [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jaba.512 The rooting reflex as an infant feeding cue.] Journal of applied behavior analysis. 2019 Feb;52(1):17-27.</ref>
* The reflex is impertinent for the survival and growth of the babies, as it helps the newborn find the origin of food (either nipple or bottle) and also initiates [[Breast Feeding and Physiotherapy|breastfeeding]].<ref name=":6">Glodowski KR, Thompson RH, Martel L. [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jaba.512 The rooting reflex as an infant feeding cue.] Journal of applied behavior analysis. 2019 Feb;52(1):17-27.</ref>
* If the rooting reflex persists, the infant may have drooling and a tongue that sits too forward in the mouth. The child will have difficulty swallowing and chewing because of the dysfunctional tongue. Other clinical manifestations include hypotonic or hypertonic muscle tone, asymmetric posture and gait, and delayed developmental milestones. The persistence of primitive reflexes in infancy may also be an early sign of cognitive-developmental delay or [[Autism Spectrum Disorder|autism]].<ref>Agarwal A, Verma I. [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0976566212000446 Cerebral palsy in children: An overview. Journal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma]. 2012 Dec 1;3(2):77-81.</ref><ref>Panteliadis CP, Hagel C, Karch D, [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4503828/ Heinemann K. Cerebral palsy: a lifelong challenge asks for early intervention]. The open neurology journal. 2015;9:45.</ref><ref>Chinello A, Di Gangi V, Valenza E. [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0891422216301548 Persistent primary reflexes affect motor acts: Potential implications for autism spectrum disorder. Research in developmental disabilities]. 2018 Dec 1;83:287-95.</ref>
* If the rooting reflex is preserved beyond the disintegration time, the infant may have excessive salivation and a tongue that sits too forward in the mouth(tongue thrusting). The child will struggle to perform swallowing and chewing functions because of the dysfunctional [[tongue]]. Other clinical symptoms include hypotonic or hypertonic muscle tone, asymmetric [[posture]] and [[gait]], and delayed developmental milestones.<ref name=":3">Agarwal A, Verma I. [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0976566212000446 Cerebral palsy in children: An overview. Journal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma]. 2012 Dec 1;3(2):77-81.</ref> <ref name=":4">Panteliadis CP, Hagel C, Karch D, [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4503828/ Heinemann K. Cerebral palsy: a lifelong challenge asks for early intervention]. The open neurology journal. 2015;9:45.</ref><ref name=":5">Chinello A, Di Gangi V, Valenza E. [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0891422216301548 Persistent primary reflexes affect motor acts: Potential implications for autism spectrum disorder. Research in developmental disabilities]. 2018 Dec 1;83:287-95.</ref>
* The [[Trigeminal Nerve|trigeminal cranial nerve]] (CN 5), which is responsible for facial sensation, is involved in the rooting reflex. In an infant with an intact CN 5, stroking or touching the corner of his or her mouth will initiate the rooting reflex. If the infant has CN 5 dysfunction, it may result in the absence of the rooting reflex.<ref name=":1" />
* The [[Trigeminal Nerve|trigeminal cranial nerve]] , which helps in the sensation of the face, is also involved in the functioning of the rooting reflex. An infant with an intact [[Trigeminal Nerve|trigeminal nerve]] will have a normal response but if the infant has nerve dysfunction, there is no response observed.<ref name=":1" />
* Rooting reflexes can be observed in adult patients with [[Frontal Lobe|frontal lobe]] pathology. They often present with other primitive reflexes that are normally suppressed by the frontal lobe of the [[Cerebral Cortex|cerebral cortex]]. Patients with a frontal lobe lesion are also incapable of making decisions, have different personalities, and are not able to control emotions or maintain social interactions.<ref name=":1" />
* Rooting reflexes are observed in adult patients with [[Frontal Lobe|frontal lobe]] pathology. They often present with other [[Primitive Reflexes|primitive reflexes]] that are normally disintegrated due to maturation of the frontal lobe of the [[Cerebral Cortex|cerebral cortex]]. <ref name=":1" />
* It's also considered a sign of hunger in babies.<ref name=":6" />
* If the infant is forced-fed during crying then the rooting reflex might get disturbed.<ref>Widström AM, Thingström‐Paulsson J. [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1651-2227.1993.tb12660.x The position of the tongue during rooting reflexes elicited in newborn infants before the first suckle]. Acta paediatrica. 1993 Mar;82(3):281-3.</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />
[[Category:Paediatrics - Assessment and Examination]]
[[Category:Paediatrics - Assessment and Examination]]
[[Category:Neurological - Assessment and Examination]]

Latest revision as of 20:38, 16 June 2022

Original Editor - Muskan Rastogi

Top Contributors - Muskan Rastogi and Uchechukwu Chukwuemeka  


Introduction[edit | edit source]

The rooting reflex is an innate response of the head due to the stimulation of the face, mouth, or cheek by touching/stroking (the head is turned towards the side of the stimulus).[1] It is a brainstem mediated primitive motor reflex also called the frontal release reflex.

This reflex has also been observed in the apes and other mammals.[1]

The presence of the Rooting reflex has also been linked to altriciality-meaning that the newborns are unable to feed themselves (unable to source for food) with the help of locomotion. Therefore in response, the caregiver feeds the young one taking the reflex as a cue.[2]

Stimulus[edit | edit source]

The reflex commences when the corner of an infant’s mouth is stimulated by touching/stroking. [3]

Response[edit | edit source]

The newborn will turn their head towards the stimulus(finger or nipple) and open the mouth wide with tongue thrusting (tongue sits too forward in the mouth).[3]

Rooting reflex muskan (2).jpg

Duration[edit | edit source]

The rooting reflex is present at birth (around 28 weeks of gestation) and disintegrates about 4 to 6 months (until the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex matures.)[3]

[4]

The healthcare provider strokes the corner of the mouth of the baby and the infant turns their head towards the stimulated side. For eg., if the right side of the corner of the mouth is stimulated then the baby turns its head to the right side.

Difference between Sucking and Rooting Reflex[edit | edit source]

  • It's critical to differentiate between the rooting reflex and the sucking reflex, as the latter is also involved in the nourishment intake of the infant. [5]
  • The major difference in both reflexes is that the rooting reflex occurs when the corner of a baby’s mouth is stimulated, while the sucking reflex initiates when the roof of their mouth is stimulated.[5]
  • The sucking reflex is usually observed around 30 to 35 weeks and is in charge of the regulation of breathing with the swallowing mechanism, which starts to emerge around 37 weeks[5]

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

  • The reflex is impertinent for the survival and growth of the babies, as it helps the newborn find the origin of food (either nipple or bottle) and also initiates breastfeeding.[6]
  • If the rooting reflex is preserved beyond the disintegration time, the infant may have excessive salivation and a tongue that sits too forward in the mouth(tongue thrusting). The child will struggle to perform swallowing and chewing functions because of the dysfunctional tongue. Other clinical symptoms include hypotonic or hypertonic muscle tone, asymmetric posture and gait, and delayed developmental milestones.[7] [8][9]
  • The trigeminal cranial nerve , which helps in the sensation of the face, is also involved in the functioning of the rooting reflex. An infant with an intact trigeminal nerve will have a normal response but if the infant has nerve dysfunction, there is no response observed.[3]
  • Rooting reflexes are observed in adult patients with frontal lobe pathology. They often present with other primitive reflexes that are normally disintegrated due to maturation of the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex. [3]
  • It's also considered a sign of hunger in babies.[6]
  • If the infant is forced-fed during crying then the rooting reflex might get disturbed.[10]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Kreutzer J. In F.-A.-S. Test, Kreutzer JS, DeLuca J, Caplan B. eds. Encyclopedia of clinical neuropsychology. New York, NY ; Heidelberg : Springer, 2011.
  2. Dunsworth HM, Warrener AG, Deacon T, Ellison PT, Pontzer H. Metabolic hypothesis for human altriciality. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2012 Sep 18;109(38):15212-6.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Yoo H, Mihaila DM. Rooting Reflex. InStatPearls [Internet] 2021 May 1. StatPearls Publishing.
  4. betapicts. Baby Rooting Reflex / Reaction. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0CLcNtOOEQ&t=9s
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Sohn M, Ahn Y, Lee S. Assessment of primitive reflexes in high-risk newborns. Journal of clinical medicine research. 2011 Dec;3(6):285.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Glodowski KR, Thompson RH, Martel L. The rooting reflex as an infant feeding cue. Journal of applied behavior analysis. 2019 Feb;52(1):17-27.
  7. Agarwal A, Verma I. Cerebral palsy in children: An overview. Journal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma. 2012 Dec 1;3(2):77-81.
  8. Panteliadis CP, Hagel C, Karch D, Heinemann K. Cerebral palsy: a lifelong challenge asks for early intervention. The open neurology journal. 2015;9:45.
  9. Chinello A, Di Gangi V, Valenza E. Persistent primary reflexes affect motor acts: Potential implications for autism spectrum disorder. Research in developmental disabilities. 2018 Dec 1;83:287-95.
  10. Widström AM, Thingström‐Paulsson J. The position of the tongue during rooting reflexes elicited in newborn infants before the first suckle. Acta paediatrica. 1993 Mar;82(3):281-3.