What is the Moro reflex?

The Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, is an involuntary response exhibited by infants when they feel a sudden sensation of falling or when startled by a loud noise. This reflex typically manifests when an infant is abruptly moved or senses a loss of support, causing the arms to extend outward and then retract back toward the body, often accompanied by crying.

Understanding this reflex is crucial as it is part of the normal neurological development in infants. It can also serve as an important indicator of an infant's neurological health; the presence of the Moro reflex in typically developing infants suggests normal function of the brain and spinal cord.

The grasping reflex is a separate reflex where infants instinctively grip objects placed in their hands. The reflex that aids in walking typically becomes evident at a later stage of development, reflecting voluntary muscle control rather than a reflexive response. Lastly, the response to touch on the back, often referred to as the Galant reflex, involves a different mechanism related to tactile stimuli and is not classified as the Moro reflex.