Asymmetry in plantar grasp response during infancy.

The neurologic outcomes of 61 children with asymmetric plantar grasp responses 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 and/or neurologic signs except for asymmetric plantar grasp responses recorded 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 concordance between the side of the abnormal response and the laterally in motor function and abnormal computed tomographic findings. The asymmetry in the plantar grasp response strongly suggests the existence of brain dysfunction. Infants with this asymmetry should be carefully monitored for the development of neurologic abnormalities.