Moro reflex in babies
The Moro reflex is a normal involuntary reflex or movement in newborn babies . It is the startle that the baby presents and that is a normal sign of his health, usually lasting up to three or four months of age. Even during appointments with the pediatrician, the baby will be checked to see if he has the Moro reflex; which owes its name to the pediatrician Ernst Moro, who described it for the first time.
The Moro reflex is a startled reaction that a baby has, as if he were frightened; it can happen, for example, before the baby has a sudden change of position. This reflex is very important because its absence indicates an abnormality in the baby’s spinal cord or brain, damage to the nerves of the brachial plexus or a possible fracture of the collarbone.
Moro Reflex in Babies: Everything You Need to Know
Normal or Cause for Worry?
The Moro or startle reflex in babies is normal until four or five months of age; in fact, this startle is a positive indicator. Normally, between three and four months, the reflex disappears on its own; however, if it continues after the fifth month, a pediatrician should be consulted, as it may be an indicator of severe neurological damage or defects.
Likewise, and as we mentioned before, the absence of the Moro reflex in the first four months of life is also an indicator of a problem, whether due to a fracture in the clavicle, problems in the nerves of the brachial plexus, or damage to the brain or spinal cord.
The nerves of the brachial plexus are a network of nerves that send signals from the spinal cord to the hand, arm, and shoulder. Damage to these nerves can occur when the spinal cord is torn, compressed, or stretched.
What is the Reflex or Startle?
The Moro reflex is an involuntary, startling movement that a baby makes as if he were scared. During the reflex, when a baby feels a lack of support, for example when changing position, he stretches out his arms, opens his little hands with palms up and fingers outstretched. He may also open his eyes as if he were scared, while tensing his back and shoulders.
As the reflex passes, the baby begins to relax his body again, bringing his arms back to his body and flexing his elbows until he relaxes completely.
How is the Moro Reflex Tested?
A simple way to test your baby’s reflex is to place the baby on a soft surface, such as a pillow or cushion. Lift the baby’s head very carefully – not the whole body, just the head. You should drop the head and then hold it very quickly before the head hits the pillow.
When you release the head, the baby should react as we told you before, extending his arms with his palms up; it is even normal for him to cry. After a few seconds, the baby should relax again and bring his arms back to their normal position.
Appointments with the Pediatrician
The Moro reflex is part of the check-ups that the health professional performs on the baby once it is born and later in the appointments with the pediatrician. If the pediatrician notices something abnormal in the reflex, additional physical examinations should be performed; such as a shoulder x-ray or tests to determine if there is any disorder associated with the nerves. For the diagnosis, it is also important to take into account if there is a family history, if there was any problem during labor or birth.
