ABSTRACT
Clinicians dealing with children should realise that it is very common that when parents report a type of noise, e.g. wheezing, it is often not confirmed. It is important to know that snuffles and stridor are caused by obstruction of the extrathoracic airways (nose, pharynx, larynx and the extrathoracic portion of the trachea), while wheezing is caused by intrathoracic obstruction. Dyspnoea is a subjective feeling of difficulty in breathing. Cough is one of the most common symptoms in children. Cough as a symptom is ubiquitous for almost the entire respiratory system. Haemoptysis is defined as coughing or expectoration of blood or the presence of blood-tinged sputum. Chest pain is a common complaint in children. Cardiologists may use the term of palpitation to describe an awareness of the heartbeat due to abnormality of the heart rhythm ranging from simple, benign ectopic atrial or ventricular beats to more important tachy-arrhythmias.
