In the traction reflex, what is the characteristic movement of the arms when the infant is pulled to sit?

In the traction reflex, what is the characteristic movement of the arms when the infant is pulled to sit?

• A. Elbow flexion and shoulder elevation
• B. Arm abduction
• C. Arm extension
• D. Forearm pronation

Answer: (A)

When the infant is pulled to sit, the automatic response is a protective flexor pattern in the arms. The arms bend at the elbows and the shoulders elevate toward the chest, bringing the arms in close to the body. This elbow flexion with shoulder elevation helps support the head and neck as the movement occurs and is a hallmark of the traction reflex in early infancy. The reflex is expected to appear early and typically fades by about 3–4 months as the nervous system matures. Other described movements don’t match this reflex: arm abduction is more like the Moro response, arm extension isn’t the characteristic pattern here, and forearm pronation isn’t the defining action of traction.

When the infant is pulled to sit, the automatic response is a protective flexor pattern in the arms. The arms bend at the elbows and the shoulders elevate toward the chest, bringing the arms in close to the body. This elbow flexion with shoulder elevation helps support the head and neck as the movement occurs and is a hallmark of the traction reflex in early infancy. The reflex is expected to appear early and typically fades by about 3–4 months as the nervous system matures. Other described movements don’t match this reflex: arm abduction is more like the Moro response, arm extension isn’t the characteristic pattern here, and forearm pronation isn’t the defining action of traction.