Board exam

Taking a history and performing a physical examination with children differs from adults and comes with a set of unique challenges. Symptoms are typically reported by a parent or guardian, who may not be able to accurately transmit the information from the child to the examiner and characterize the child's concerns. To fill in the gaps, a pediatrician must have good communication skills and the ability to develop a rapport with children as well as their families. Pediatricians must also pay special attention to growth and developmental issues unique to the pediatric population and be aware that certain diseases manifest differently in children than in adults. This article specifically covers nuances involved in history and physical examination for pediatric patients to supplement general information found in the “Medical history” and ”Physical examination” articles.