Palmar Grasp Reflex in Human Newborns

Abstract

Purpose: To review palmar grasp reflex in human infants regarding psychomotor development. Method: “Palmar grasp reflex” and “grasping reflex” were searched in scientific journals published between 2000 and 2016. Two groups were identified in newborns up to six months: (1) Palmar grasp reflex was studied as part of instruments of neuropsychomotor evaluation. (2) Palmar grasp reflex was taken as a dependent or independent variable. Results: Eighteen articles were selected. Four were excluded because of inappropriate methods. Concerning the fourteen remaining, teen were included in group 1 (A) and four in group 2 (B). Conclusions: Palmar grasp reflex may be part of different instruments used to evaluate clinical and developmental studies. It may be easily detected without a necessary environment. Its intensity may be used as an index for acquisition of motor skills and lateral differences may be associated with hand preference in adults.