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.

Evaluation

Do You Have Concerns About Your Child’s Development?

Complete our online AI-based assessment and receive more information on possible causes and recommendations on how to assist your child.

Search our Resource Center

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Filter by Categories
ACMG
Case Study
Diagnostic odyssey
Events/Conferences
Face2Gene
Geneticist profile
Genomics
Phenotyping
Rare Diseases
Scientific Abstracts
Talks
Technology
Uncategorized
Videos

Articles about Signs & Symptoms

  • Signs & Symptoms

    Hyporeflexia

    Hyporeflexia is a reduced intensity of the reflex response in the muscle tendons of the body. This response is typically familiar to people as the “knee-jerk” reflex, tested by doctors with a tap on the knee. Areflexia is an absolute lack of response to muscle stimuli. Sensory signals invoking some motor response are sensorimotor arcs […]

    Read more
  • Signs & Symptoms

    Hypospadias

    Hypospadias is when the opening of the urethra is located under the penis as opposed to on the tip, where it is typically located. This opening on the underside may be found near the tip of the penis (most likely) or at the base (less common). This may lead the penis to curve down in […]

    Read more
  • Signs & Symptoms

    Hypotonia

    Hypotonia, or low muscle tone as it is often known, reduces the strength and tone of the muscle. This in turn impacts the movement ability, physical strength, and flexibility of an individual with the symptom. In babies, it may present as floppy baby syndrome and is usually detected at birth or soon after.Hypotonia may be […]

    Read more
  • Signs & Symptoms

    Immunodeficiency

    Immunodeficiency is the failure of the immune system to defend the body and protect it adequately from infection, due to the absence, malfunctioning, or insufficiency of some component, process, or substance. Immunodeficiency, or immunodeficiency disorders, can be primary, (congenital), or acquired. Immunodeficiency lowers the guard of the immune system, weakening the body’s defenses and allowing […]

    Read more
  • Signs & Symptoms

    Impaired Pain Sensation

    Impaired pain sensation means an individual has a reduced ability to feel pain or other sensory stimulation. This may range from feeling nothing, when others would feel pain or sensation, to feeling some sensation, usually numbness or similar. It can often refer to an inability to respond to, or feel, different temperatures whether hot or […]

    Read more
  • Signs & Symptoms

    Inability to Walk

    Non-ambulatory, or the inability to walk, is due to a lack of or loss of control in the legs, weakness in involved and related muscles, lack of balance, numbness, freezing or absence of movement, slow movement, tremors, clumsiness, stumbling and falling, and exercise-related fatigue. Symptoms may affect multiple parts of the body. Understanding which part […]

    Read more
  • Signs & Symptoms

    Inappropriate Behavior

    inappropriate behavior is sometimes referred to as problem behavior this may cover a wide range of behaviors: excessive talking, behavior prompted by anger, the hoarding of useless objects, and self-injury. Problem behavior is not itself indicative of a feature, but behavior that is consistent and consistently unacceptable or severe in its manifestation may be defined […]

    Read more
  • Signs & Symptoms

    Incoordination

    Incoordination can include poor coordination, poor hand-eye coordination, functional motor deficit including frequent falls, and clumsiness, or a lack of physical coordination resulting in an abnormal tendency to drop items or bump into objects. Incoordination is the inability to perform, in adequate form, voluntary precise movements. Symptoms may affect multiple parts of the body. Understanding […]

    Read more
  • Signs & Symptoms

    Infantile Axial Hypotonia

    Infantile Axial Hypotonia is very low muscle tone, affecting the trunk of the body, with onset in infancy or at birth.In extreme cases this low muscle tone may impact on the ability of an infant to breathe without difficulties and on their ability to feed. Symptoms may affect multiple parts of the body. Understanding which […]

    Read more
Showing 127 to 135 of 254 results