Which infant reflex should not disappear by 6 months?

Which infant reflex should not disappear by 6 months?

• A. Moro
• B. Rooting
• C. Tonic Neck
• D. Plantar Grasp

Answer: (D)

Primitive reflexes are automatic, subcortical responses present at birth that fade as higher brain centers mature. Each reflex has a typical window for integration, and tracking this timing helps assess neurodevelopment. The plantar grasp is the one that should not disappear by six months because it typically remains present until about nine to twelve months. As the cortex and motor pathways mature, other early reflexes fade earlier: rooting is usually integrated by around four months, the Moro reflex by about four to six months, and the tonic neck reflex by roughly five to six months. So at six months, the plantar grasp is still expected, while the others should have faded. If plantar grasp disappears sooner than expected, or if other reflexes fail to integrate on time, that can signal a neurologic concern.

Primitive reflexes are automatic, subcortical responses present at birth that fade as higher brain centers mature. Each reflex has a typical window for integration, and tracking this timing helps assess neurodevelopment.

The plantar grasp is the one that should not disappear by six months because it typically remains present until about nine to twelve months. As the cortex and motor pathways mature, other early reflexes fade earlier: rooting is usually integrated by around four months, the Moro reflex by about four to six months, and the tonic neck reflex by roughly five to six months. So at six months, the plantar grasp is still expected, while the others should have faded. If plantar grasp disappears sooner than expected, or if other reflexes fail to integrate on time, that can signal a neurologic concern.