A newborn girl’s father expresses concern that the newborn does not have good control of her hands and arms. It is important for the father to realize certain neurological patterns that characterize the newborn:
A.
Mild hypotonia is expected in the upper extremities.
B.
Purposeless, uncoordinated movements of the arms are indicative of neurological dysfunction.
C.
Function progresses in a head-to-toe, proximal-distal fashion.
D.
Asymmetrical movement of the extremities is not unusual and will disappear with maturation of the central nervous system.
(A) Term neonates are predominantly in a flexed position with strong active muscle tone that increases. Newborns are slightly hypertonic. (B) Neonatal movements may be jerky and uncoordinated as the neonate works against gravity in contrast to the buoyancy of the amniotic fluid. Jerky movements must be differentiated from the tremors of hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and neurological dysfunction. (C) Growth of the newborn progresses in a cephalocaudal, proximal-distal fashion. Knowledge regarding infant development may facilitate parental involvement and infant stimulation. (D) Asymmetrical movements of the extremities are indicative of neurological dysfunction.
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