A 9-month-old infant is brought for a developmental check. He can sit without support, transfer objects hand-to-hand, and says 'da-da' non-specifically. He cannot yet pull to stand, wave bye-bye, or say 'mama' specifically. Which developmental domain shows a DELAY?

• A Gross motor (should pull to stand by 9 months)
• B No delay; all listed skills are within normal range for 9 months ✓
• C Fine motor (should have pincer grasp by 9 months)
• D Language/communication (should have 2–3 specific words by 9 months)

Explanation

At 9 months, normal developmental milestones include: gross motor — sitting without support (6 months), beginning to pull to stand (9–10 months, not mandatory at 9); fine motor — radial-palmar grasp (6–7 months), developing pincer grasp (8–10 months); language — babbling with consonants, 'dada/mama' non-specifically (at 9 months, specific 'mama/dada' is expected by ~12 months); social — stranger anxiety (7–9 months), waves bye-bye (9–10 months). All described skills (sitting independently, hand-to-hand transfer, non-specific 'da-da') are appropriate for a 9-month-old. Pulling to stand and specific 'mama/dada' are typical at 10–12 months; absence at exactly 9 months does not constitute a developmental delay.

Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 10th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.