Neurology/ Infantile Reflexes

Question 1

Describe the Moro reflex.

Answer 1

Sudden dropping of the infant’s head in relationship to the trunk leads to abduction and extension of the arms and opening of the hands. This is followed by flexion of the extremities.

Question 2

When does the Moro reflex typically disappear?

Answer 2

At age 3-6 months

Question 3

What is the palmar grasp reflex?

Answer 3

With the baby’s arms semiflexed, place your index fingers into both of the baby’s hands from the ulnar side and apply pressure into the palmar surfaces. The response is for the baby to flex his/her fingers to grasp your fingers.

Question 4

When does the palmar grasp reflex typically disappear? 3 months of age What is the rooting reflex?

Answer 4

With the baby’s head in the midline, stroke the perioral skin at the corners of the baby’s mouth and at the midline of the upper and lower lips. In response to a stroke at the corner of the mouth, the baby’s mouth will open and head will turn to the stimulated side. When the upper lip is stimulated, the head will extend while the jaw will drop with stimulation of the lower lip.

Question 5

When does the rooting reflex typically disappear?

Answer 5

4 months of age

Question 6

What findings on physical exam suggest the presence of central nervous system disease in the infant?

Answer 6

• Abnormal localized neurologic findings
• late persistence of infantile reflexes
• failure to elicit expected infantile reflexes
• asymmetry of extremity movements
• reemergence of vanished infantile reflexes
• delays in reaching developmental milestones