| Arm recoil | |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Determining muscle tone in newborns |
Arm recoil is a neurological examination of neonate for detecting the muscle tone.
Procedure
The baby is placed supine, with forearm flexed at elbow. The elbow (forearm) is extended by pulling the hand; then released.
Observation
How quickly the forearm returns to flexed original position and the amount of flexion will designate a score.
- Grade 0: Arms remain extended 180 degrees or abnormal movements begin
- Grade 1: Minimal flexion, 140-180 degrees
- Grade 2: Slight flexion, 110-140 degrees
- Grade 3: Moderate flexion, 90-110 degrees
- Grade 4: Quick return to full flexion, less than 90 degrees
Conclusions
The greater the tone development (flexor tone), the brisker the recoil will be. This correlates to more advanced gestational age on the Ballard Scale.
Leg recoil can be assessed following the same principle.
References
- ^ Wilkins, Lippincott Williams & (2008). Straight A's in Maternal-neonatal Nursing. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 272. ISBN 9781582556932. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
- Murray, Sharon Smith; McKinney, Emily Slone (2014). Foundations of Maternal-Newborn and Women's Health Nursing - E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 406. ISBN 9780323293846. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
- Kacmarek, Robert M.; Dimas, Steven; Mack, Craig W. (2005). The Essentials of Respiratory Care. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 465. ISBN 9780323027007. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
- Ballard, JL; Khoury, JC; Wedig, K; Wang, L; Eilers-Walsman, BL; Lipp, R (September 1991). "New Ballard Score, expanded to include extremely premature infants". The Journal of Pediatrics. 119 (3): 417–23. doi:10.1016/s0022-3476(05)82056-6. PMID 1880657. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
- Ghosh, Sibarjun. bedside clinics in paediatrics. Academic Publishers. ISBN 9788189781859. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
 | This muscle article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |
 | This medical diagnostic article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |