[Neonatal reflexes variability in the normal full term neonate during the neurological exam]

It has been stated that findings in neonatal neurological examinations can play a role as a pointer to adverse developmental outcome. The description of the examinations, and their presence or absence differed among authors without clear reference to their physiological variability ranges. We approached the study of some neonatal behaviours and reflexes in 143 examinations made on 113 healthy newborn babies from the maternity wards by looking at the influence that perinatal environmental factors which are considered normal, can play in these examinations. The results showed that the flexion answer of the Babinski reflex increased significantly between the first and third day of life (c2= 4.4478; p= 0.03495) in the same way there was an increase in the stepping reflex (c2= 3.999; p= 0.04552) in the righting reflex (c2= 4.9342; p= 0.02633) and in the supporting reaction (c2= 11.7874; p= 0.0006). This was significantly reduced in the caesarean section deliveries (c2= 7.1209; p= 0.0076). Head reaction was only detectable during the Brazelton behavioural states 1 to 3 (c2= 3.8911; p= 0.04854) and the same thing happened with the stepping reflex (c2= 4.9370; p= 0.02629). We discuss the utility of neonatal reflexes scoring scales in predicting the neurodevelopmental outcome of the newborn baby.