Macrocephaly Lawrence W. Brown INTRODUCTION The skull provides a fixed space for the brain, blood vessels, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in adults and older children, thus causing symptoms of increased…

Lymphadenopathy Leslie S. Kersun INTRODUCTION Healthy children frequently have palpable lymph nodes, most commonly in the cervical, axillary, and inguinal areas. There is a broad differential diagnosis for lymphadenopathy in…

Leukocytosis David T. Teachey INTRODUCTION Leukocytosis is defined as an increase in the total number of white blood cells (WBCs). The normal WBC count varies by age, with infants having…

Leukopenia David T. Teachey INTRODUCTION Leukopenia is defined as a decrease in the total white blood cell (WBC) count, usually to >4,000/mm3. Neutropenia is defined as a decrease in the…

Joint Pain Jeffrey A. Seiden INTRODUCTION Arthritis is defined as the limitation of motion of a joint with associated swelling, pain with motion, tenderness, or warmth. Arthralgia is joint pain…

Jaundice, Newborn Clyde J. Wright Michael A. Posencheg INTRODUCTION Jaundice is a term used to describe the visible manifestation of elevated serum concentrations of bilirubin. The breakdown products of heme…

Jaundice Evelyn K. Hsu INTRODUCTION Jaundice is defined as a yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae caused by increased levels of circulating bilirubin. The term “jaundice” is…

Hypotonia Lawrence W. Brown INTRODUCTION Hypotonia is defined as abnormally low resting muscle tone. It primarily manifests as decreased resistance to passive movement and abnormalities in resting posture. Hypotonia most…

Hypertension Kevin E.C. Meyers INTRODUCTION Normotension is defined as blood pressure (BP) (systolic, diastolic, or both) that is <90th percentile for the patient’s age, height percentile, and sex. Prehypertension is…

Hepatomegaly Christina Bales INTRODUCTION Hepatomegaly is an important physical examination finding, which may reflect intrinsic liver disease or a wide array of systemic diseases. Determination of liver size may be…