history of presenting complaint
Last reviewed 01/2018
This is as if for any non-paediatric problem. The significant difference is that the history is often from the parent and not the child.
The usual facts must be found out about each symptom:
- mode of onset
- what happened since
- precipitating factors
- relieving factors
- associated symptoms
Note that often the first indication that a child is ill is a loss of appetite. The child's appetite before the onset of the presenting complaint must always be queried.