Persistence of Moro's reflex is abnormal beyond the age of?

HPSSC - 2015

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Easy

Appeared in: HPSSC - 2015

Explanation

The Moro reflex is a normal, involuntary startle response seen in infants from birth.
This primitive reflex typically integrates and disappears by the age of 4 to 6 months as the infant's nervous system matures.
Persistence of the Moro reflex beyond 6 months is considered a neurological red flag, indicating a possible developmental delay or an upper motor neuron lesion, such as in cerebral palsy.
Therefore, the 6th month marks the upper limit of the normal timeframe, and persistence beyond this age is abnormal.

Option B: The Moro reflex can still be present at 5 months as it is in the process of fading. Its presence at this age is not definitively considered abnormal.
Option C: The Moro reflex is expected to be present at 4 months. According to some sources, it may start to disappear around this time, but its presence is a normal finding.
Option D: At 3 months of age, the Moro reflex is typically strong and easily elicited. Its presence is a sign of a healthy, developing nervous system.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Normal developmental milestones and the timeline for the disappearance of primitive reflexes, specifically the Moro reflex as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses performing developmental screenings during well-baby visits must assess primitive reflexes to identify potential neurological issues early.
An asymmetrical Moro reflex (weaker on one side) should prompt the nurse to assess for birth injuries like a clavicle fracture or brachial plexus palsy.
A finding of a persistent Moro reflex in a 7-month-old infant requires immediate referral to a pediatrician or pediatric neurologist for further evaluation.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the keyword in the question: 'Moro's reflex' and 'abnormal beyond the age of'. This is a factual recall question about developmental milestones.
Recall the normal timeline for primitive reflexes in infants. Remember that these reflexes are present at birth and disappear at predictable ages as the brain matures.
Specifically, recall the age range for the disappearance of the Moro reflex. The typical window is between 4 and 6 months.
Analyze the question's phrasing: 'abnormal beyond the age of'. This asks for the point in time after which the reflex's presence is a red flag.
Evaluate the options (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th month). Since the reflex can normally last up to 6 months, its persistence becomes abnormal only after this period.
Select the option that represents the upper limit of the normal range, which is the 6th month.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Normal developmental milestones and the timeline for the disappearance of primitive reflexes, specifically the Moro reflex.
Stem keywords: Moro's reflex, persistence, abnormal, age
Lead-in keywords: beyond the age of
Negative lead-in flag: false

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