At which age does a full-term infant normally begin to show a social smile in response to a familiar face?

• A At birth to 2 weeks
• B 7 to 8 months
• C 4 to 5 months
• D 6 to 8 weeks ✓

Explanation

The social smile appears around 6 to 8 weeks of age and is one of the earliest social milestones. Smiling at birth is reflexive and not directed at people. Absence of social smile by 3 months is a recognized red flag on developmental screening and warrants evaluation for visual impairment, autism spectrum disorder, or global developmental delay.

Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 9th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.