[Grasping reflex activity in utero is one element of fetal behavior (Grasping activity is a part of fetal ethology)].
It is well known the newborns and infants activity include touching and grasping of various surrounding things lasting some months in postnatal period. The study involved observation of fetal grasping reflex during last trimester of pregnancy. The author was able to observe 6 episodes of grasping the umbilical cord in an other fetus grasping his scrotum, and another of his penis. When checked with Doppler sonography flow velocity waveforms of umbilical artery were disturbed temporarily. All fetuses were born some days or weeks later in good condition. Grasping reflex is an innocuous transitory episode from prenatal to postnatal life, without adverse sequelae. It is only one aspect of fetal behavior, and proof of its hereditary nature.
Jakobovits
Akos
A
Toldy Ferenc Kórház, Szülészeti-Nogyógyászati Osztály, Cegléd. jakobovits@freemail.hu
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D005865:Gestational Age; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012018:Reflex; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries