Habituation of the Flexion Reflex in Small for Gestational Age, Term (SGAT) Infants and Normal Birthweight Infants

Abstract

Habituation, dishabituation, and retension of habituation of the flexion reflex by small for gestational age, term infants and normal birthweight infants were studied using two groups of twenty subjects each. Subject groups were matched according to sex, age at testing (55-65 days), SES levels, race, and type of delivery. The habituation paradigm for both reflexes included two sets of stimuli each of which was divided into three segments. The two sets of stimuli were separated by a proposed dishabituator. A 2x2x2 analysis of variance was used to test for habituation (main effect for segment), retention (main effect for set), birthweight (main effect for group), and interaction effects. Results indicate that both groups demonstrated habituation, retension, and dishabituation of the flexion reflex. No group differences were found. Clinical implications of this study include that testing for habituation and retention of habituation of motor reflexes may be useful assessment tool and that a relationship may exist between retention of habituation and the waning of early motor reflexes.