The mother of a 5-month-old infant asks when her baby will begin to cry when handed to an unfamiliar person. At what age does stranger anxiety typically appear?

• A Present from birth
• B 2 to 3 months
• C 12 to 15 months
• D 6 to 8 months ✓

Explanation

Stranger anxiety emerges at 6 to 8 months, coinciding with the formation of a specific attachment to the caregiver and the ability to distinguish familiar from unfamiliar faces. Before 6 months infants generally accept handling by anyone. By 12 to 15 months the child shows separation anxiety instead, protesting when the mother leaves. Its persistence beyond 2 years or its absence with poor eye contact raises concern for autism.

Reference: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.