This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Google Scholar Articles by Bloomfield, F. H. Articles by Aftimos, S. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Bloomfield, F. H. Articles by Aftimos, S. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Isolated Absence of the Moro Reflex in a Baby With CHARGE Syndrome Could Reflect Vestibular Abnormalities

Newborn, Auckland City Hospital, Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, New Zealand, f.bloomfield{at}auckland.ac.nz

Shuan Dai, FRANZCO

Ophthalmology, Auckland City Hospital

David Perry, FRANZCR

Radiology, Auckland City Hospital

Salim Aftimos, MD

Genetic Services, Auckland City Hospital

We describe a term baby girl with (CHARGE syndrome coloboma, heart anomaly, choanal atresia, retardation, and genital and ear anomalies association) who had persistent complete absence of the Moro reflex but preservation of other primary neonatal reflexes. A computed tomography scan revealed bilateral absence of the semicircular canals and hypoplastic vestibules. We suggest that isolated absence of the Moro reflex may reflect underlying abnormalities of the vestibular system and may, therefore, not necessarily be associated with a generalized disturbance of the central nervous system as is usually the case. This suggestion has implications for the diagnostic and prognostic relevance of an isolated absent Moro reflex.

Key Words: neurodevelopment • primitive reflexes • congenital abnormality • CHARGE syndrome

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?