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

    Hyperactivity

    Hyperactivity is a condition where an individual is in a state of constant, unusual movement and activity. It is usually not controllable, even in situations or environments where it is not appropriate. 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. Developmental symptoms may affect different parts of an individual’s development. These include their emotional and social development, their physical development, as well as their cognitive and communication skills. Developmental milestones help to track a child’s developmental progress and flag under delay. A delay may be isolated or accompanied by other developmental delays either in the same area and/or in other areas too. Symptoms relating to development may be many and wide ranging. They can include a walking delay, issues with speech and language including late talking, trouble socialising with others or with showing emotion.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Hyperkinetic Movements

    Hyperkinetic movements are repetitive, abnormal and involuntary movements of the body. These motions are identified as common neural disturbances in children and can potentially lead to movement disorders. The distribution and severity of these repeated movements may shift over time.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Hyperostosis (bone overgrowth)

    When the bones show localized excessive growth or an abnormal thickening. It may lead to bones measuring larger or thicker than expected. 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 skeletal system is made up of all of the bones and joints of the body. This includes 270 bones at birth, which reduces to 206 once an individual reaches adulthood as some bones fuse together during this period. The skeletal system has many crucial functions including the protection of crucial body organs, body movement, storing minerals and fats and forming blood cells. Symptoms affecting the skeletal system may be seen with the naked eye. Diagnosing a skeletal related symptom may involve different tests and assessments, both subjective and objective. Symptoms relating to the skeleton may affect the ability of an individual to function and move normally.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Hyperpigmentation of the skin

    It is a darkening of the skin that happens due to an increase in melanin production, and an increase in its deposition in the skin. 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. Skin is a part of the integumentary system of the body, a system which includes not only skin but also hair and nails too. The integumentary system acts to protect our body from external threats or injury. Generally, symptoms affecting the skin can be seen with the eye. Although diagnosing a skin related symptom may involve different tests and assessments, both subjective and objective. Symptoms relating to the skin may be temporary or permanent and covers conditions including rashes, hives, lesions and discolouration. They may affect the tone, texture and appearance of the skin in different ways. They may also cause some level of discomfort, including itching and or some level of pain.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Hypertelorism (widely-spaced eyes)

    Hypertelorism (widely-spaced eyes) is defined by a larger distance than usual, between the eyes. Specifically this means a larger than average distance between the inner eye corners and between the pupils. As the fetus develops in utero the eyes move closer together, but anything that interferes with this process of development can cause hypertelorism. The most common causes include a mass pushing the eyes apart, a cleft in the bone between the eyes or a genetic syndrome. Usually widely-spaced eyes as a symptom, do not cause vision loss or affect the vision of an affected individual.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Hypodontia

    Hypodontia refers to a reduced number of primary or permanent teeth: between one and six teeth that have failed to develop. Hypodontia may affect both primary and permanent teeth or the permanent teeth only. Wisdom teeth (the third secondary maxillary and mandibular molar teeth) are not included in this count. Hypodontia is the developmental absence of primary and/or permanent teeth. Oligodontia is when there are more than six teeth. Anodontia is when there are no teeth at all.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Hypoplastic Fingernail

    The underdevelopment of a fingernail. The fingernail fails to grow properly or completely. 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. Nails are a part of the integumentary system of the body, a system which includes not only the nails but also hair and skin too. The integumentary system acts to protect our body from external threats or injury. Generally, symptoms affecting the nails can be seen with the eye. Although diagnosing a nail related symptom may involve different tests and assessments, both subjective and objective. Symptoms relating to the nails may be temporary or permanent. They may affect the tone, texture and appearance of the nail in different ways. They may also cause some level of discomfort.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Hypoplastic male external genitalia

    Underdeveloped external male genitalia- this includes the penis, scrotum, and the urethra. Underdeveloped may mean smaller than normal. 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 reproductive system is made up of the organs of the body necessary for the reproductive process. In a female these organs include the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, and the ovaries. In a male these organs include the penis, testes, spermatic ducts, sex glands and the scrotum. Symptoms affecting the reproductive system are generally congenital, present at birth, but may develop later. Symptoms relating to the organs of the reproductive system may affect their structure and function including their ability to reproduce, other times they may simply affect the shape or appearance of the organ, without any impact on fertility.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Hypoplastic Nasal Tip

    It is a decreased tip of the nose, making it smaller than the standard nasal tip. The nasal tip is underdeveloped or deficient. 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 nose is a part of the respiratory system of the body, a system that includes the lungs and airways to. The respiratory system is what makes it possible for the body to inhale and exhale air to breathe. The nose is also a sensory organ. It is responsible for the body’s sense of smell. Sometimes symptoms affecting the nose can be seen with the eye. Although diagnosing a nose related symptom may involve different tests and assessments, both subjective and objective. Symptoms relating to the nose may affect its structure, shape and/ or function. Some features will affect just the appearance of the nose while others may affect its ability to smell, and its ability to function properly as a part of the respiratory system.

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