Sophie was struck by a car after school on May 5 as she was pushed across a zebra crossing in a stroller by a family friend in the north Sydney suburb of Seaforth.

The director of the intensive care unit, Barry Duffy, said Sophie had recognised her mother and brother yesterday. Her condition has improved from critical, and she is expected to be out of intensive care by the end of the week.

SOPHIE Delezio has regained consciousness and is breathing on her own, and doctors say she could be out of hospital in two or three weeks.

The five-year-old smiled and communicated with her family yesterday after 12 days in an induced coma in intensive care.

Sophie was struck by a car after school on May 5 as she was pushed across a zebra crossing in a stroller by a family friend in the north Sydney suburb of Seaforth.

It was the second serious accident for the little girl. In 2003, she received burns to 85per cent of her body and lost both feet when a car slammed into the Roundhouse Childcare Centre at Fairlight on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Doctors at Sydney’s Children’s Hospital said yesterday they were decreasing the level of Sophie’s medication and she was regaining consciousness.

The director of the intensive care unit, Barry Duffy, said Sophie had recognised her mother and brother yesterday. Her condition has improved from critical, and she is expected to be out of intensive care by the end of the week.

“She greeted her mother and brother,” Dr Duffy said. “All in all, she looks fantastic for the ordeal she has been through.”

Doctors are optimistic that Sophie may be allowed home by the end of the month.