A mother asks when her newborn will first start smiling in response to her face. At what age does the social smile normally appear?
- A 6 to 8 weeks ✓
- B At birth
- C 4 months
- D 6 months
Correct answer: A. 6 to 8 weeks
Explanation
The social smile, a smile elicited specifically by a human face or voice rather than by internal states, appears at 6 to 8 weeks of age. It is one of the earliest social milestones and its absence beyond 3 months is a warning sign in developmental screening. Smiling at birth is reflexive and not social, while by 4 months the infant laughs aloud, which is a later and different milestone.
Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 9th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.