[3] Furthermore, absence during the neonatal period may warrant assessment for the possibility of developmental complications such as birth injury or interference with brain formation.
[6] Exaggeration of the Moro reflex, manifesting either as low threshold or excessive clutching, often occurs in newborns with moderate hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
[7] Persistence of the Moro reflex beyond 6 months of age is noted only in infants with severe neurological defects, including cerebral palsy.
[10] In this publication, he stated: "When a young infant is placed on the examination table and one taps with hands on both sides of the pillow, there follows a rapid symmetrical extending abduction of both extremities, which approach each other in adduction immediately thereafter".
[12] The Moro reflex might also be an alarm signal from the baby who is about to lose support, and the spread arms provide extremities for where to be grabbed by its handler to prevent a fall.