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

    Depressed Nasal Ridge

    A flat nose, or depressed nasal ridge is caused due to a posteriorly placed nasal ridge. A depressed nasal ridge may be one of the features of a genetic syndrome. 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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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Disturbance of Facial Expression

    Individuals with disturbance of facial expression are not able to properly use the facial muscles used to convey emotions such as fear, joy, sadness, surprise and disgust among us. This symptom specifically refers to an abnormality connected with these movements, which are usually produced from the facial measures. This can make it difficult for individuals to convey accurately what they are feeling with their face alone.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Doll-like Facies

    Historically this definition referred to a unique facial appearance that included a round face, accompanied by full or fat cheeks, a short and smaller nose, as well as a small chin in comparison to the rest of the face. This definition is no longer necessarily referred to, and instead clinicians are advised to identify, measure, and diagnose each facial feature separately.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Down Slanted Palpebral Fissures (crying, sad eyes)

    When the elliptic space or the opening between the two eyelids slants downwards. The lateral aspect of the eye is downslanted in respect of the medial aspect. A downward slant measuring more than two standard deviations below the mean would meet the definition of this symptom. Down slanted palpebral fissures may be one of the unique facial features of a number of genetic syndromes.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Downturned Corners of Mouth

    They define a facial feature where the angles of the mouth face downward or droop downwards. This can only be assessed when the mouth is closed, the face relaxed and the lips are in relaxed contact. 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 mouth is a part of the GI tract of the digestive system of the body, a system which includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus.The digestive system is what makes it possible for the body to eat and digest essential nutrients from food. Sometimes symptoms affecting the mouth can be seen with the eye. Although diagnosing a mouth related symptom may involve different tests and assessments, both subjective and objective. Symptoms relating to the mouth may affect its structure, shape and/ or function. Some features will affect just the appearance of the mouth while others may affect its ability to function properly as a part of the digestive system.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Dyskinesia

    Dyskinesia relates to the body’s inability to make voluntary movements. This means an impairment of voluntary movements combined with the addition of involuntary movements which may be fragmented, jerky, and in some cases painful.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Dysphonia

    It is a voice that is described as being hoarse, rough, or strained. It may affect voice and pitch as well. It is caused by inflammation or damage to the vocal cords, but may also be due to issues with air flow from the lungs or if there are abnormalities in the structure of the throat. It may be caused by any number of minor health conditions, including a common cold or bacterial infection. However it may also be a long term feature of a genetic disease or syndrome.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Dyspnea

    It is defined as breathing that is troubled or laboured. In other words, a difficulty in breathing. 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 respiratory system is made up of the lungs, airways and blood vessels. These parts of the system work together to help the body breathe: they control the process of respiration including the inhalation of oxygen and the exhalation of carbon dioxide. Symptoms affecting the respiratory can not for the most part be seen with the naked eye. Diagnosing a respiratory related symptom may involve different tests and assessments, both subjective and objective. Symptoms relating to the respiratory system will affect an individual’s ability to breathe effectively and may require medical intervention.

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  • Signs & Symptoms

    Dyspnea

    Dyspnea is difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath: labored breathing, struggling for air, sometimes called “air hunger”. It is a feeling that is subjective to the patient and can only be measured by asking the patient how they feel relative to specific situations, for example, using a Borg scale. Feeling short of breath or having difficulty getting enough air can be a temporary, mild discomfort that will pass, or it may be more serious and long-term respiratory distress. What am I feeling, and why? Dyspnea can be described in a variety of ways by the persons experiencing it, and that can vary as well by personal experience, or cultural and socioeconomic background, or other factors. However medical professionals will sometimes group the descriptions of dyspnea into five clusters that can help identify what the patient is feeling and what diseases may be related to that sensation. “Tightness” in the chest is often associated with asthma. “Increased effort” or “more work” breathing may indicate that the dyspnea is related to certain conditions that cause respiratory muscle fatigue, such as COPD. “Unsatisfied by” or “having difficulty breathing in” is a third description that can show reduced lung volume. “Rapid breathing” or “shallow breaths” can show up during intense physical exercise, or with conditions that mimic that feeling. “Out of breath”, “can’t breathe” or “feels like suffocating” can sometimes be associated with heart failure, or with conditions such as pregnancy.

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Showing 73 to 81 of 254 results