The Wicked Doctor

74: Moro Reflex

The Moro reflex is an infantile reflex that develops between 28–32 weeks of gestation and disappears between 3–6 months of age. It is a response to a sudden loss of support and involves three distinct components: spreading out the arms (abduction), pulling the arms in (adduction), crying (usually). The Moro reflex may be observed in incomplete form in premature birth after the 25th week of gestation, and is usually present in complete form by week 30 (third trimester). Absence or asymmetry of either abduction or adduction by 2 to 3 months age can be regarded as abnormal, as can persistence of the reflex in infants older than 6 months.  Furthermore, absence during the neonatal period may warrant assessment for the possibility of developmental complications such as birth injury or interference with brain formation. Asymmetry of the Moro reflex is especially useful to note, as it is almost always a feature of root, plexus, or nerve disease.

An exaggerated Moro reflex can be seen in infants with severe brain damage that occurred in-utero, including microcephaly and hydrancephaly. Exaggeration of the Moro reflex, either due to low threshold or excessive clutching, often occurs in newborns with moderate hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The Moro reflex is also exaggerated in infants withdrawing from narcotics.

Persistence of the Moro reflex beyond 6 months of age is noted only in infants with severe neurological defects, including cerebral palsy.

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"An! Wait!" Hinabol niya ako hanggang sa parking lot at hinablot ang kamay ko. 

"Ano na naman? Kung may sasabihin ka pakibilisan at may kailangan akong puntahan, Terrence." Binuksan ko ang pintuan ng backseat at itinapon dito ang paperbag na hawak hawak ko kasama ng sling bag ko. Namaywang akong humarap sa kanya. 

"Are you free this weekend? Saturday or Sunday?" 

Naningkit ang mata ko at nag-isip-isip. I am actually free on both days.

"Nope. Why?" I said in a nonchalant tone. Tignan natin kung ano ang plano ng lalaking to. 

Kinamot niya ang batok niya. "I actually wanted to take you and Dylan out on the weekend. Ipapasyal ko sana si Dylan but I  need your permission first. Might as well bring you kasi nakita kong day off mo."

"Oh. Pwede mo namang sunduin si Dylan sa bahay. I don't mind. Mamasyal kayo, just bring the nanny along para matulungan ka sa paghandle sa batang yun na ubod ng kulit at tigas ng ulo." I sighed. "Papuntahin mo na lang kasi dito sina Stacy at Hans para may alagaan kang bata at hindi ka nanghihiram ng anak ng iba."

I opened the driver side door and slammed it shut. Ibinaba ko ang bintana at sumilip sa kanya na nakatayo lang sa tapat ko. "Look, Terrence. I'm fine with you being chummy with my son pero wag mong gagamitin ang anak ko para makalapit sa akin. The only relationship that we have right now is one that revolves in sex. Keep that in mind. I don't do commitments anymore." I smiled cheekily. 

"Bye, T!" 

  I left the hospital and went to our agreed meeting place para pag-usapan ang plano tungkol sa ipapa-renovate kong bahay sa Baguio na nabili ko bago ako umuwi ng Pilipinas. 

"Ang tagal mo. Kalahating oras na ako dito. Gutom na ako, hinintay pa kasi kita." Reklamo nito.

"So why the hell didn't you order if you were that hungry? Not my fault, engineer." Asik ko.

"Tsss.. doctor bitch." 

Binato ko siya ng tissue. "Damuhong to. Magorder ka na nga libre ko na lahat nakakahiya naman sayo." We laughed because of our childish banter. 

We talked about the plan and how we are going to execute it. We are both from the lowlands and the building I wanted to fix was in another province way up in the plateaus of Cordillera. Hawak hawak nito ang blueprint na ginawa ng pinsan ko at ako naman ay nakahawak ng isang tasa ng kape.