Infantile reflexes

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Infantile reflexes

Moro reflex

The GRASP REFLEX is elicited by placing a finger on the infant's open palm. The hand will close around the finger. Attempting to remove the finger causes the grip to tighten. Newborn infants have strong grasps and can almost be lifted from the examination table if both hands are used.

The ROOTING REFLEX is elicited by stroking the cheek. The infant will turn toward the side that was stroked and begin to make sucking motions with its mouth.

The PARACHUTE REFLEX occurs in the slightly older infant, and is elicited by holding the child upright then rotating the body quickly face forward (as if falling). The arms are reflexively extended as if to break a fall even though this reflex appears long before walking.

The presence of an infantile reflex after the age at which the reflex normally disappears can be a sign of brain damage or damage to the nervous system.

Abnormal presence of infantile reflexes can occur in adults with:

• stroke
• brain damage from trauma

Review Date: 05/10/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.