Signs and Symptoms

Recognizing early indicators for timely intervention.

What Are Signs and Symptoms?

Signs and symptoms are indicators that provide clues about a child’s health, development, or well-being. Signs are objective, observable phenomena such as a rash or fever, while symptoms are subjective experiences reported by the child, like feeling tired or experiencing pain. Understanding and recognizing these indicators is crucial for parents as they often serve as the first hint that something might be amiss. Early identification of signs and symptoms can lead to prompt medical evaluation, diagnosis, and intervention, ultimately improving outcomes for the child. Parents should be observant and note any new or unusual signs and symptoms, as these can provide valuable information to healthcare providers.

Common Signs and Symptoms in Children

Children can exhibit a wide range of signs and symptoms as they grow and develop. Common signs include physical changes like unexpected weight loss, difficulty breathing, or skin rashes. Typical symptoms might involve behavioral changes such as increased irritability, difficulty sleeping, or sudden changes in appetite. Additionally, cognitive and emotional signs, such as difficulty concentrating, frequent outbursts, or unusual fears, can indicate underlying issues. It’s important to differentiate between normal developmental variations and signs that may suggest a concern. Keeping a record of when signs and symptoms first appeared, their frequency, and any associated triggers can help healthcare providers in making accurate assessments and recommendations.

When to Seek Professional Help

Parents should seek professional guidance when signs and symptoms persist or worsen, or if they cause significant concern. Indicators that warrant immediate medical attention include severe pain, difficulty breathing, high fever, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, and any sign of a serious allergic reaction. For more subtle or chronic issues, such as developmental delays, social withdrawal, or consistent academic difficulties, consulting a pediatrician or specialist can provide clarity and direction. Early intervention services, counseling, and specialized therapies are available to address a wide array of concerns, ensuring that children receive the support they need. Building a partnership with healthcare providers and staying informed about your child’s health and development will empower you to act swiftly and effectively when signs and symptoms arise.

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Articles about Signs and Symptoms

  • Signs & Symptoms

    Focal Sensory Seizure

    A focal sensory seizure is a seizure that begins with a sensation, felt by the individual affected by the seizure. Generally the seizure is not obvious to anyone watching. The sensations that may occur at the start of this type of seizure include flashing, or flickering lights and colors,or the appearance of shapes and simple patterns in front of a person’s eyes. Signs of this kind of seizure include muscle contractions, contractions on one side of the body, unusual head or eye movements, pain in or from the abdomen, an increased and rapid heart rate or pulse, numbness or tingling of the skin.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Fragile Skin

    Fragile skin is a condition in which the skin and mucous membranes are much less resistant to external conditions than they normally would be. This can show up as blisters, skin erosion, and painful injury, from small lesions to severe blistering on various parts of the body. It can also lead to secondary skin cancer or even early death as a result of the loss of large portions of the epidermis (skin). In infants and children, fragile skin can occur as part of a congenital skin fragility disorder. In older adults, it is associated with aging. Fragile skin can be a marker for certain diseases or syndromes. This diagnosis also depends on other accompanying features.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Frontal Bossing

    It is a protruding forehead which sometimes also includes a heavy or heavier brow ridge.It is often confused with a prominent forehead, which is a separate symptom and not the same as frontal bossing. It may also include protrusion of both frontal prominences, albeit with a normal midline.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Full Cheeks

    Cheeks that are more round than usual. They are usually diagnosed by the presence of an increased prominence or roundness of the soft tissue in the cheeks. This roundness is measured between the zygomata (cheekbone) and the mandible (jawbone).

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Gait Apraxia

    Gait apraxia is the inability to execute basic walking functions. The person cannot walk, and cannot make walking movements with their legs. This is not based on physical weakness or sensory impairment. Apraxia, generally speaking, is a neurological disorder where there is an inability to act out familiar movements. The person understands the command, they want to perform it, and they are physically able to perform it, but their bodies will not cooperate. Gait apraxia can be a marker for certain diseases or syndromes. This diagnosis also depends on other accompanying features.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Gait Disturbance

    A gait disturbance refers to any issue or condition that affects an individual’s ability to walk. The cause may be neurological or muscular, or in some cases the result of trauma or an injury. In some cases, physical therapy or other related treatments, may improve an individual’s ability to walk. A neurological gait disturbance may also be accompanied with a balance issue, which can cause further complications with walking.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Gastroesophageal reflux

    More commonly known as acid reflux or heartburn this condition occurs when the contents of the stomach leak backwards and into the esophagus. Symptoms may affect multiple parts of the body. Understanding which part of the body a symptom affects, can help us to better understand the potential underlying causes of a symptom, including a rare disease or genetic syndrome. The digestive system is made up of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus (known as the GI tract). It also includes the liver, pancreas and gallbladder. Generally, symptoms affecting the skin can not be seen with the eye. Although diagnosing a digestive system related symptom may involve different tests and assessments, both subjective and objective. Symptoms relating to the digestive system may be temporary and the result of an infection or virus. In other cases they may be more permanent, serious and affect the ability of an individual to eat, and digest food. This might in turn affect a person’s growth and development.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Generalized Joint Laxity

    The areas of the body where two or more bones meet is called a joint, such as fingers, toes, knees, and hips. Most joints enable mobility: they help body parts move. Joint hypermobility, or generalized joint laxity, means that a joint can move beyond what is considered a normal range of motion. This can affect several or all joints. Generalized joint laxity can be a marker for certain diseases or syndromes. It can cause pain or increase the risk of dislocation.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Global Developmental Delay

    Global development delay or slow development as it is sometimes referred to, is a diagnosis given to children who show a delay in reaching developmental milestones compared to other children of the same age. This could be delays in their social and emotional development, their cognitive development and their physical and motor development. The development of a child follows very clear developmental milestones throughout infancy especially, and failure to meet these within an expected period of time may lead to a diagnosis of global developmental delay. Global developmental delay may be caused by a genetic syndrome, a metabolic disorder such as PKU, serious infections, trauma to the brain or psychosocial trauma or severe malnutrition or neglect.

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