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

    Growth Delay (poor growth)

    Growth that is delayed (slowed down). It can be identified either prior or following birth. It means very slow gains in weight and height for a child. 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. Symptoms which affect the growth and or weight gain/loss of an individual may also affect the ability of their body to function properly. This might affect their movement, their brain development and the other organs of their body including the heart. Growth charts help to track a child’s physical development, including weight and height, and flag any issues or concerns. An issue with under or over growth may be the result of an underlying medical condition, or may trigger a secondary medical problem. In some cases a physical growth problem may be due to environmental factors, including under or over feeding. Symptoms relating to physical growth may be many and wide ranging.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Hearing Impairment

    Damage to a particular part of the auditory system within the body may cause one of the following forms of hearing loss: -conductive hearing loss -sensorineural hearing loss -mixed hearing loss Hearing impairment refers to partial hearing loss, whereas deafness describes complete or profound loss of hearing.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Hernia

    A hernia is when an internal body organ pushes through the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. The majority of hernias are abdominal, occurring between the chest and hips. But hernias can also occur in the groin and upper thigh. Common types of hernia include: Inguinal, Femoral, Umbilical, Incisional, Epigastric, Hiatal. The first sign of a hernia is usually a bulge in the skin around the affected area. Most hernias do not require immediate medical attention, but surgery is often the long term treatment solution.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    High Forehead

    A forehead that has a larger height than the norm. It is also referred to as a tall forehead. As a facial feature it may be associated with a genetic syndrome, or it may be unrelated and unique to the individual.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    High Palate

    A mouth palate measuring more than two standard deviations above the mean. Measurements should include the height and width of the palate for an accurate measurement. These measurements however should be addressed and coded separately.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Highly Arched Eyebrow

    While most eyebrows have some arch, with downturned ends, certain very highly arched eyebrows that may also grow together in the middle (unibrow), or flared eyebrows with an unusual “surprised” look can be markers for certain diseases or syndromes. It may also be defined as increased height of the central portion of the eyebrow, forming an inverted “u”.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Hip Dysplasia

    Hip dysplasia is a developmental dysplasia of the hip. It’s sometimes called congenital hip dislocation or developmental dysplasia of the hip. With this condition, the hip joint does not form properly in infants and young children, the hip socket does not entirely cover the portion of the femur as is supposed to, therefore, the hip is partially or entirely dislocated. The hip joint is where the thigh bone attaches to the pelvis. One or both hips may be affected, but hip dysplasia is more common in the left hip. It is also more common in girls and firstborn children. Untreated hip dysplasia may lead to difficulties later in life, including limping, hip pain (especially as a teen), stiff painful joints (osteoarthritis). Early diagnosis and treatment can help most children to develop normally and have full range of hip and leg movement.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Hirsutism

    An abnormal growth of hair on the body leading to excessive hairiness. It may be generalized (all over the body) or partial (covering parts of the body). 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. Hair is a part of the integumentary system of the body, a system which includes not only hair but also skin and nails too. The integumentary system acts to protect our body from external threats or injury. Generally, symptoms affecting the hair can be seen with the eye. Although diagnosing a hair related symptom may involve different tests and assessments, both subjective and objective. Symptoms relating to the hair affect hair on all parts of the body, including the scalp, torso and face. They may also affect specific features of the face, including the eyebrows and eyelashes. When looking specifically at symptoms relating to the hair, other aspects such as the amount, distribution, thickness, texture and colour should also be taken into consideration.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Hydrocephalus

    It is a condition where too much fluid collects on the brain. This accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid is caused due to an imbalance between how much of the fluid is produced and how much is absorbed by the bloodstream. When too much is produced and/or not enough absorbed, the fluid accumulates in the brain. This build up of fluid can lead to increased pressure on the skull and the brain. When looking for excess fluid on the brain in an infant, a doctor will look for sunken eyes, slow reflexes, bulging fontanelle and a larger head than normal for the age of the infant. Hydrocephalus must be treated to avoid long term damage and ensure reasonable life expectancy. The treatment usually involves draining the fluid from the brain.

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