ASYMMETRY IN PLANTAR GRASP RESPONSE DURING INFANCY

The neurologic outcomes of 61 children with asymmetric plantar grasp r esponses during infancy were evaluated during a follow-up period of 2. 8-11.9 years (mean: 6.1 years). They all had perinatal risk factors an d/or neurologic signs except for asymmetric plantar grasp responses re corded during infancy, The outcomes consisted of cerebral palsy in 38, delay in motor development in 6, mental retardation in 3, borderline intelligence in 9, and normal in 5. Most patients demonstrated concord ance between the side of the abnormal response and the laterality in m otor function and abnormal computed tomographic findings, The asymmetr y in the plantar grasp response strongly suggests the existence of bra in dysfunction, Infants with this asymmetry should be carefully monito red for the development of neurologic abnormalities.