[Primitive reflex in premature healthy newborns during the first year]

Abstract

A non-controlled, prognostic cohort study was performed with the aim of establishing markers of neurological development and defining a clinical and epidemiological profile of preterm newborns at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of gestation-corrected age in terms of primitive reflexes evolution.

Results: At 3 months old of corrected age, all primitive reflexes were present. At 6 months old, all children showed plantar grasp and 2.7% still showed Moro and palmar grasp. Plantar grasp was the unique primitive reflex found at 9 and 12 months of corrected age.

Conclusion: It was possible to evaluate the occurence, as well as the disappearing of primitive reflexes in preterm newborns. The results show delay in the disappearing of primitive reflexes even with the use of corrected age.