Babkin Reflex

Babkin reflex is exhibited as opening of the mouth and flexing of the arms which is elicited by stimulating the palms of newborns. It has been linked with the development of the brainstem and the coordination of the hands, eye, and mouth which is important for eating. This reflex becomes less evident with age and mostly disappears by 5 months. Though it is normal for this hand-mouth reflex to not appear among some infants, its persistence after 5 months has been associated with neurological abnormalities such as intellectual disability and cerebral palsy.