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

    Large Fleshy Ears

    Large fleshy ears are those that appear larger, and thicker than the norm. This increased size and thickness has no impact on hearing ability. 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 ear is a part of the auditory system of the body. The auditory system includes the ear itself and its parts: the inner, middle and outer ear. Symptoms affecting the ears may be congenital, present at birth, or they may develop later in life. Sometimes surgery may be an option to correct them. Symptoms relating to the ears may affect their structure and function including their ability to hear, other times they may simply affect the shape or appearance of the ear without any impact on hearing.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Large Forehead

    A large forehead is one that is wider, or broader than the average. This is usually a subjective measurement, and will depend on the opinion of the clinician. Often a large or larger forehead is simply a benign facial feature. In other instances it may be the symptom of a rare disease.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Limb Undergrowth

    Limb undergrowth is a shortening of a limb or multiple limbs because of underdevelopment of a bone or multiple bones of the extremities. This can include short arms or short legs, symmetrical or disproportionate shortening of the limbs, rhizomelic (rhizomelic refers to the proximal part of the limb, that is, the nearest part to the body) shortening or rhizomelic dwarfism, an asymmetrical undergrowth of the limbs affecting only one side, shortening of the middle portion or outer portion of a limb, or the partial absence of a free limb (meromelia) such as a hand or foot.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Long Eyebrows

    Eyebrows that are longer than expected. The hairs of the eyebrows are loger, contributing to the increased horizontal or transversal length of the eyebrows. 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

    Long Face

    Objectively it is a face that is two standard deviations above the mean when measuring its length. Subjectively it is a face that appears longer 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 face contains the nose, eyes and mouth, all of which are sensory organs. The face also displays emotions and feelings and plays a crucial role in communication. The face runs from the forehead at the top, to the chin at the bottom and encompasses everything in between. Symptoms affecting the face can for the most part be seen with the naked eye. Although diagnosing a face related symptom may involve different tests and assessments, both subjective and objective. Symptoms relating to the face may affect its structure, shape and/ or function. Some features will affect just the appearance of the face while others may affect its ability to express emotions and to communicate non-verbally.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Long Fingers

    Long fingers are objectively defined by the following criteria – the middle finger measures more than two standard deviations above the mean for newborns aged between 27-41 weeks, or above the 97 percentile for children aged from 0-16 years. In addition to this all five digits of the hand must be relative in length to each other, i.e. one is not longer than the other, or only the middle finger is longer. The subjective definition of long fingers, are those that seem to be much longer when compared to the palm of the hand.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Long Palpebral Fissures

    Long palpebral fissures are defined by a longer than normal opening between the eyelids. The distance between the medial and lateral aspect of the eye is larger than 2 SD above the mean, or greater than 1/5 of the face. This longer opening may lead to a unique or unusual eye shape. This longer opening between the eyelids may be the result of a genetic syndrome and will always present with other unique facial features.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Low Anterior Hairline

    A low anterior hairline is one where the distance between the hairline and the frontal bone above the root or top of the nose, is more than two standard deviations below the mean. Even without measurement this decreased distance may be visible to the eye and the hairline will appear lower than normal.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Low-set ears

    They are defined as ears set lower down the head than normal. When the outer rim of the ear meets the cranium (skull) at a point below that of both of the inside corners of the eyes (inner canthi). This symptom may be obvious in some individuals, and in others require more precise measuring.

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