Ernst Moro

Ernst Moro
File:Ernst Moro.jpg Ernst Moro, Austrian pediatrician
Born	8 December 1874 Laibach, Austria-Hungary (now Ljubljana, Slovenia)
Died	17 April 1951 Heidelberg, Germany
Nationality	Austrian
Known for	Moro reflex, Moro test, Moro's milk
Scientific career
Fields	Pediatrics

Ernst Moro (8 December 1874 – 17 April 1951) was an Austrian pediatrician who made significant contributions to the field of pediatrics. He is best known for his discovery of the Moro reflex, a primitive reflex in infants, and for developing the Moro test and Moro's milk.

Early Life and Education

Ernst Moro was born in Laibach, Austria-Hungary, which is now Ljubljana, Slovenia. He studied medicine at the University of Graz, where he graduated in 1899. After completing his studies, Moro worked in various hospitals and clinics, gaining experience in pediatrics.

Career and Contributions

Moro's career was primarily focused on pediatrics, and he worked at the University of Munich under the guidance of Theodor Escherich, a prominent pediatrician. In 1906, Moro became a professor of pediatrics at the University of Heidelberg, where he conducted much of his groundbreaking research.

Moro Reflex

The Moro reflex is an involuntary response seen in newborns, typically disappearing by the age of 4 to 6 months. It is characterized by the infant suddenly spreading out the arms (abduction) and then bringing them back together (adduction) in response to a sensation of falling or a loud noise. This reflex is an important indicator of neurological development and is used to assess the health of the nervous system in infants.

Moro Test

The Moro test is a clinical test used to evaluate the presence and strength of the Moro reflex in infants. It is performed by gently lifting the infant's head and then allowing it to fall back slightly, observing the reflexive response.

Moro's Milk

Moro also developed a special type of milk, known as Moro's milk, which was used to treat infants with digestive problems. This milk was a precursor to modern infant formula and was designed to be easily digestible.

Later Life and Legacy

Ernst Moro continued to work in pediatrics until his retirement. He passed away in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1951. His contributions to pediatrics, particularly his work on infant reflexes, have had a lasting impact on the field.

Also see

• Pediatrics
• Infant reflexes
• Theodor Escherich
• Infant formula