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Moro reflex
Startle response; Startle reflex; Embrace reflex
A reflex is a type of involuntary (without trying) response to stimulation. The Moro reflex is one of many reflexes that are seen at birth. It normally goes away after 3 or 4 months.
Considerations
Your baby's health care provider will check for this reflex right after birth and during well-child visits.
To see the Moro reflex, the child will be placed face up on a soft, padded surface.
The head is gently lifted with enough support to just begin to remove the body weight from the pad. (Note: The infant's body should not be lifted off the pad, only the weight removed.)
The head is then released suddenly, allowed to fall backward for a moment, but quickly supported again (not allowed to bang on the padding).
The normal response is for the baby to have a startled look. The baby's arms should move sideways with the palms up and the thumbs flexed. The baby may cry for a minute.
As the reflex ends, the infant draws its arms back to the body, elbows flexed, and then relaxes.
Causes
This is a normal reflex present in newborn infants.
Absence of the Moro reflex in an infant is abnormal.
- Absence on both sides suggests damage to the brain or spinal cord.
- Absence on only one side suggests either a broken shoulder bone or an injury to the group of nerves that run from the lower neck and upper shoulder area into the arm may be present (these nerves are called brachial plexus).
A Moro reflex in an older infant, child, or adult is abnormal.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
An abnormal Moro reflex is most often discovered by the provider. The provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the child's medical history. Medical history questions may include:
- History of the labor and birth
- Detailed family history
- Other symptoms
If the reflex is absent or abnormal, further tests may need to be done to examine the child's muscles and nerves. Diagnostic tests, in cases of decreased or absent reflex, may include:
- Shoulder x-ray
- Tests for disorders associated with brachial plexus injury
References
Lehman RK, Schor NF. Neurologic evaluation. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 590.
Rennie JM, Huetas-Ceballos A, Boylan GV, Shah DK, et al. Neuorological problems in the newborn. In: Rennie JM, ed. Rennie and Roberton's Textbook of Neonatology . 5th ed. New York, NY: Elsevier; 2012:chap 40.
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Moro reflex - illustration
The Moro reflex is a normal reflex for an infant when he or she is startled or feels like they are falling. The infant will have a "startled" look and the arms will fling out sideways with the palms up and the thumbs flexed. Absence of the Moro reflex in newborn infants is abnormal and may indicate an injury or disease.
Moro reflex
illustration
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Neonate - illustration
A newly born infant is also called a neonate.
Neonate
illustration
-
Moro reflex - illustration
The Moro reflex is a normal reflex for an infant when he or she is startled or feels like they are falling. The infant will have a "startled" look and the arms will fling out sideways with the palms up and the thumbs flexed. Absence of the Moro reflex in newborn infants is abnormal and may indicate an injury or disease.
Moro reflex
illustration
-
Neonate - illustration
A newly born infant is also called a neonate.
Neonate
illustration
Review Date: 11/19/2015
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
