7 Day Old Infant Seems To Have A Weak Grasp Reflex. Is There Any Danger?

Posted on Mon, 22 Jul 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 22 Jul 2013 Answered on

Tue, 20 Aug 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : My 7-day-old grandson seems to have a weak grasp reflex. Is this a warning signal that something may be wrong? What?

Answered by Dr. Y V Siva Sankara Murty (19 minutes later)

Hi,

Thanks for writing to health care magic.

Do not worry.
Did the mother have any significant problem while the baby was in the uterus?

Did the baby cry immediately after birth?

Was it a term or preterm delivery?

What is the birth weight of the baby? Was there any NICU (Neonatal intensive care) admission at the time of birth?

Is he feeding normally or not?
Comment on the new born can only be made after complete physical examination by a neonatologist or a paediatrician. A complete neurological examination is required if there is any doubt exits regarding the reflexes of the baby.

Reflexes of the baby also depend on the alertness of the baby. They also depend on the maturity of the baby. A very premature baby may not have fully developed neonatal reflexes.

Continue to ask further queries as required.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Dr Y V Siva Sankara Murty
M.D.(Pediatrics)
Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar