What is the palmar grasp reflex?
One of the most important infantile reflexes, the palmar grasp reflex refers to a baby closing his fist around anything that is placed in his tiny palm. If you place your finger in the palm of your newborn, he will grasp it, and if you try to remove your finger, the grasp becomes tighter [1]. The reflex is strong enough for you to lift the baby up if he is grasping the fingers of your both hands. However, it is just a reflex with your baby having no control over it.
Newborn palmar grasp reflex test video
The fine motor reflex is tested at the hospital, along with a number of other newborn reflexes after your baby is born [2].
When does the palmar grasp reflex occur?
Babies are born with the palmar grasp [6] with the reflex starting to develop during the 11th-15th week of pregnancy, as your baby grows within the womb [3].
When does the grasp reflex go away?
It gradually disappears after the baby reaches 2-3 months of age [4].
Why do infants have the palmar grasp reflex?
The purpose of the grasping reflex is believed to be to prepare the baby’s hand muscles for developing voluntary grasping in the months to come [5].
An absent or abnormal palmar grasp reflex may indicate a neurological defect or some motor nerve damage (e.g. cerebral palsy [7]) present at birth. However, since the presence of the reflex is tested at the hospital, any abnormality can be attended to as soon as it is discovered.
- References +
- https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003292.htm
- http://www.healthline.com/health/neonatal-reflexes#Overview1
- http://people.umass.edu/mva/pdf/Neonatal_Reflexes_07.pdf
- http://www.parenting.com/gallery/newborn-reflexes?page=4
- http://www.whattoexpect.com/baby-behavior/newborn-reflexes.aspx
- http://www.babycenter.com/0_developmental-milestones-grasping_6578.bc
- http://cerebralpalsy.org/about-cerebral-palsy/sign-and-symptoms/