Arm recoil explained
Arm recoil is a neurological examination of neonate for detecting the muscle tone.[1]
Procedure
The baby is placed supine, with forearm flexed at elbow. The elbow (forearm) is extended by pulling the hand; then released.[2]
Observation
How quickly the forearm returns to flexed original position and the amount of flexion will designate a score.[3]
- 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.[4]
Leg recoil can be assessed following the same principle.[5]
Notes and References
- Book: Murray. Sharon Smith. McKinney. Emily Slone. Foundations of Maternal-Newborn and Women's Health Nursing - E-Book. 2014. Elsevier Health Sciences. 9780323293846. 406. 8 November 2017. en.
- Book: Kacmarek. Robert M.. Dimas. Steven. Mack. Craig W.. The Essentials of Respiratory Care. 2005. Elsevier Health Sciences. 9780323027007. 465. 8 November 2017. en.
- Book: Wilkins. Lippincott Williams &. Straight A's in Maternal-neonatal Nursing. 2008. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 9781582556932. 272. 8 November 2017. en.
- Ballard. JL. Khoury, JC. Wedig, K. Wang, L. Eilers-Walsman, BL. Lipp, R. New Ballard Score, expanded to include extremely premature infants.. The Journal of Pediatrics. September 1991. 119. 3. 417–23. 1880657. 13 August 2012. 10.1016/s0022-3476(05)82056-6.
- Book: Ghosh. Sibarjun. bedside clinics in paediatrics. Academic Publishers. 9788189781859. 8 November 2017. en.
