What is the symmetrical tonic neck reflex (STNR)?

What is the symmetrical tonic neck reflex (STNR)?

What is the symmetrical tonic neck reflex (STNR)?

Reflexes are movements that a person makes involuntarily, without thinking. You can watch them from the moment your baby is born. There are five common reflexes you will see in your newborn:

  • Rooting reflex — searching for a nipple on a breast or bottle
  • Sucking reflex — happens when the roof of the baby's mouth is stimulated
  • Grasping reflex — bending the fingers to grab
  • Startle reflex — responding to loud noises
  • Tonic reflex — happens when the baby lies on their back

The STNR is a reflex that usually appears during the first year of a child's life. It usually starts to decline by the time they reach 9-10 months.

The terms " STNR " and "symmetrical tonic neck reflex" mean the same thing. Your pediatrician can use any term.

The STNR helps the child learn to move the upper and lower half of the body independently. The STNR is commonly referred to as the "crawl reflex" because it allows the baby to move from lying down to standing on all fours.

You usually notice that your baby goes through this stage between 6 and 9 months of age, when he transitions from lying on the floor or other surface to crawling.

When your child has reached the STNR stage, you may notice that as his neck and arms straighten, his legs bend. When the neck and arms are bent, the legs are straightened. These movements are important for crawling and first steps.

Why is this reflex so important?

The brain, spinal cord, and nerves make up the nervous system, which controls the early motor skills that develop during this period. At this stage, children begin to control their movements.

The STNR is important for the development of posture, hand-eye coordination and sports.

What is a retained STNR?

The STNR connects the movements of the child's head with the movements of his arms and legs. If a child retains this reflex, it can cause problems as they grow. Some possible long-term effects of a persistent STNR:

  • Headaches from muscle tension in the neck
  • Difficulty writing and reading
  • Difficulty sitting still
  • Vision problems
  • Social and educational delays

Signs of retained STNR include:

  • Poor, hunched posture
  • Skips crawling and go straight to walking
  • “W” sitting, when the knees are in front of the body but the feet are out to the side of the hips
  • "Bear walking" or walking on hands and feet
  • Difficulty copying from a blackboard

Talking to your pediatrician about the STNR

Being a parent can be scary and overwhelming. Keep in mind that it is normal for children to develop at different rates. If you are concerned about your child's development, it is always a good idea to contact your pediatrician and let them know about your concerns. If additional steps are needed, your pediatrician can make recommendations and refer you to a specialist if necessary.

An easy way to test for a STNR is to use the Developmental Screening Questionnaire. This screening tool can be used to track the developmental milestones of a child from one year of age.

The questionnaire cannot be used to predict future neurological problems, but may be useful in identifying preserved primitive reflexes such as the STNR.


Related Links

Previous Post Next Post