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

    Abnormality of the Genitourinary System

    Any abnormality within the genital or urinary systems and any of their parts, whether the abnormality is congenital, developmental, or acquired. A congenital absence of part of the genital or urinary structures, an abnormally developed part of these systems, abnormal growth or lack of growth in either or both systems, or a tendency to poor function or persistent infection can be a marker for certain diseases or syndromes. This diagnosis also depends on other accompanying features.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Abnormality of the Outer Ear

    Abnormality of the outer ear is an unusual or distinctive formation of the outer portion of the ear or one of its components, or an unusual location or placement of one or both ears. The term ‘dysplastic’ is no longer in use as a descriptor for an ear with unusual formation, however if you as a patient, parent or caregiver did hear it used in a conversation with a healthcare professional, do be sure to ask for a more specific anatomical description of the particular component of the ear before taking any further action. Because there are so many distinct parts of the ears (inner, outer and middle, and all their included components), it is important to clarify what is meant and which part is being described when the ear or any portion of it is considered abnormal in appearance or placement. Each type of abnormality of the outer ear can be an important indicator of underlying genetic diseases or syndromes. However, this diagnosis must be based on very specific and clear information about the abnormality, and it also depends on other accompanying features.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Abnormality of the skin

    An abnormality of the skin, meaning an unusual appearance of the skin or lesion on it. 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 discoloration. 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

    Absent Eyebrows

    An eyebrow that is missing. It may be congenital, present at birth, or may be the result of an infection or other cause later in life. 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

    Absent Speech

    It is when an individual has zero speech capabilities. This means no speech or language development, making them nonverbal. The term should not be used to refer to children or their lack of speech, as speech in children is a developing skill.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Agenesis of the corpus callosum

    It is a rare congenital condition, meaning it is present at birth. It can be inherited and the symptom of a rare disease, but it can also be caused by infection or trauma (injury) during weeks 12-22 of a pregnancy, which might affect the development of the fetal brain. It can also be caused by Fetal Alcohol syndrome, and exposure by the fetus to alcohol as it is developing. It is the absence, either partial or complete, of the area of the brain that connects the two cerebral hemispheres. This can cause intellectual disability in some instances, but generally only impacts on intellectual ability mildy. There is also usually only a mild impact on development as well, including social development. The feature may also present with epileptic seizures. Generally the feature is diagnosed during the first two years of life but in some cases, and especially when it is mild, may go undiagnosed for years.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Aggressive Behavior

    Under the definition of aggressive behavior includes all aspects and areas of behavior, including verbal, physical, aggression against objects and people, as well as aggression towards oneself. Physical aggressive behavior can include hitting, biting and kicking. Verbal aggressive behavior can include shouting, swearing and verbal hostility directed at others. Aggressive behavior has many definitions. But generally it refers to behavior that is both violent and at the same time unpredictable. It also refers to behavior that goes against social norms of what constitutes accepted behavior towards others.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Alopecia

    Alopecia refers to the loss of hair. This is generally progressive and may lead to partial or a complete loss of hair, resulting in baldness. Generally hair loss with alopecia occurs in patches, once these patches of baldness start connecting with each other, then it becomes more obvious. Alopecia is not present at birth, but occurs later in the life of an affected individual. It occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicles, and this then leads them to fall out. Alopecia may affect scalp hair (the hair on an individual’s head), facial hair and anywhere on the body where there is hair. Alopecia is reasonably common.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Anteverted Nares

    This happens when the tip of the nose is turned upwards, making the nostrils more obvious when seen from the front. 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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Showing 10 to 18 of 254 results