Which reflex should be present in a newborn and indicates neurological health?

The Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, is an important indicator of neurological health in newborns. This reflex manifests when a baby feels a sudden jolt, often mimicking a feeling of falling. The baby will extend their arms and legs away from the body and then quickly bring them back in, often accompanied by crying. The presence of the Moro reflex indicates proper functioning of the brain and spinal cord, signaling that the central nervous system is developing normally.

This reflex typically appears while the baby is in a supine position, and it generally disappears by around 5 to 6 months of age as the infant's nervous system matures. Its presence is crucial for assessing the neurological status of newborns, which is why it is often a focus during pediatric assessments.

The other reflexes mentioned also provide neurological information but in different contexts and stages of development. The rooting reflex assists with feeding and typically fades by about 4 months; the tonic neck reflex indicates muscle tone and coordination but is less definitive for overall neurological health than the Moro reflex; the Babinski reflex, which involves the toes' reaction to stimulation of the foot's sole, is another sign of neurological function but primarily observed as a response to specific stimuli. Overall, the Moro