Moro reflex: Learn about Moro reflex in newborns

Learn about Moro reflex in newborns, including its symptoms, causes, and treatment. Understand its role in infant development and when to seek medical advice. The Moro reflex is a normal primitive , infantile reflex . The Moro reflex is an involuntary protective motor response against abrupt disruption of body balance or extremely sudden stimulation.[1] Ernst Moro first described the Moro reflex in 1918. It can be seen as early as 25 weeks postconceptional age and usually is present by 30 weeks postconceptional age.[2] The reflex is present in full-term infants and begins to disappear by 12 weeks with complete disappearance by six months.[3] The Moro reflex is a reflex babies should have at birth. Learn about how and why it happens and what it means. How should parents calm the baby when they have the Moro flex? Even though the Moro reflex is a good sign for newborn babies, some may have an overactive or exaggerated Moro reflex that may sometimes hamper their sleep. In extremely rare cases, a severe Moro reflex could signify hyperekplexia (an inherited neurological condition). Infants with hyperekplexia have exaggerated startle responses, followed by muscle rigidity and paralysis for short periods.