However, the results of an ANA test can help provide valuable clues to help figure out if your child has an autoimmune disease. certain situations may be more frequently seen. Antibodies help defend against invaders (such as viruses and bacteria) that cause disease or infection. Often a Sjogrens diagnosis takes years due to the varied nature of the manifestations if the disease. Try our Symptom Checker Got any other symptoms? He said the Malar Rash has to be diagnosed by a dermatologist. Some laboratories also include other antibodies in their panel, including antinucleoprotein, anticentromere, or antihistone. Interestingly, all my other ENAs were negative (including SS-Ro and SS-La, the two antibodies associated with Sjogrens Syndrome). If your childs healthcare provider orders other tests, they may share the results with you after reviewing all of them. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates fromJohns Hopkins Rheumatology. Patients with lu, Blood pressure medications (Hydralazine, Hydrochlorothiazide), Other cardiac medications (Methyldopa, Procainamide.). Interpret your laboratory results instantly with us. Anti-Ro and anti-La can also be found in other rheumatic diseases, such as systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and polymyositis, and are present in low titers in about 15% of healthy individuals. However, its important to tell your doctor about any medications or supplements that youre taking, even over-the-counter ones. Things did not improve and they found I have PBC and Auto Immune Hepatitis and a AMA (Anti Mitocondrial Antibody), The Content on this Site is presented in a summary fashion, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only. originally when my sinus dr referred me he suspected it do to my dry mouth, i had hoped he was wrong andmy dry mouth was somehow relate to my re-ammurgence of allergies(i'm being re-allergy tested tday) but then i went back to my eye dr to check for dry eye as my eyes were still bothering me even after using my allergy drops. ANA 1:1280, positive Anti-SSA, https://patient.info/forums/discuss/autoimmune-disease-ana-1-1280-positive-anti-ssa-637486. Therefore, a positive ANA test alone is never enough to diagnosis systemic lupus. However, a positive result doesnt always mean that you have an autoimmune disease. An ANA blood test (antinuclear antibody test) is usually performed on a blood sample as part of the diagnostic process for certain autoimmune diseases. So for got everything, you don't need any kind of doctors or medications, I can promise here by if you believe me I will make you runaway not only from your apartment, you will see as like me ,,,,, pls follow me and get well as like me , without spending single. Once they find a usable vein, they may tie an elastic band around your childs upper arm or ask your child to make a fist. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. This pattern is characterized by decorated cytoskeletal fibers, sometimes with small, discontinuous granular deposits. A speckled pattern is also found in lupus. Many times, a positive ANA screening test will also come with a titer. The titer of the test is essential. ), that I didnt necessarily have an autoimmune condition and as a result, she couldnt diagnose me with anything. When a pathologist views the slide under a special microscope, any present ANAs will appear as fluorescent cells. Up to 30% of healthy people have detectable levels of ANAs. The tech will wire you up, nothing painful, just a bit clunky. I dont have arthritis (which I thought he just said I did and I clearly have all symptoms pointing to it). I also get mouth ulcers about 2-3 times a month. An autoimmune disease is a condition in which your immune system attacks your body. For this test, we use a specific type of cell called HEp-2. Certain diseases are more likely to have certain patterns. Antinuclear Autoantibodies in Health: Autoimmunity Is Not a Synonym of Autoimmune Disease. (It took us a bunch of specialists - who were supposed to be looking for/at other things - and telling each one the litany of symptoms Drs included GP, Cardio, Endo, Ortho, and others. The IF ANA is generally screened at a dilution (e.g., titer) of 1:40, and, if positive, serial dilutions are carried out until a dilution is negative. Titers >1:80 are consistent with autoimmune disease. Centromere: A centromere staining pattern means the ANA staining is present along the chromosomes. Taking care of dry eyes can prevent cornea injury. Another frequent cause for a positive ANA is exposure to chronic infections. What are the most frequent causes of a positive ANA? Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. In this movie, I discuss all these details and even more. 5% of the population will have a titer positive at 1:160. Theyll apply a clean, dry bandage to the site. Pashnina IA, Krivolapova IM, Fedotkina TV, et al. The Rheumatologist newsmagazine reports on issues and trends in the management and treatment of rheumatic diseases. also seeing nathurpath dr next week. Moreover, about 20% of healthy women will have a weakly positive ANA, and the majority of these people will never develop any signs of lupus. Sometimes, your immune system might overreact, and that will result in directing the fight against your body cells. These mix ups are so confusing, people around me think I am losing my ever loving mind. It is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a diagnosis of any health or fitness problem, condition or disease; or a recommendation for a specific test, doctor, care provider, procedure, treatment plan, product, or course of action. You can have a medical appointment from the comfort of your home. Many healthy people have ANAs in their blood. Nucleolar Pattern, 1:80, and Dense Fine Speckled Pattern, 1:320. To check for these antibodies, doctors usually order what is called an ANA panel, which checks for the following antibodies: anti-double-stranded DNA, anti-Smith, anti-U1RNP, anti-Ro/SSA, and anti-La/SSB. e.g. Theres no cure for Nijmegen breakage syndrome, but its complications can be treated. so until i can see the rheumotologist i stay hydrated like my sinus dr said i also gargle with biotene and salt water. Antibodies are proteins our immune system produces in response to a trigger, most of the time an infection. Positive ANA: What might be the cause? Sjgrens syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the glands that help the body create moisture in the eyes and mouth, in the form. These antibodies are not highly specific for systemic lupus, but they are associated with certain conditions, including extreme sun sensitivity, a clinical subset of lupus called subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), and a lupus-like syndrome associated with a genetic deficiency of a substance called complement (a system of proteins that helps mediate your bodys immune response). Can a ANA test be negative if done so before more symptoms become prevalent? When an invader (antigen) enters the body, white blood cells known as B lymphocytes react by making special types of proteins called antibodies. The pattern of the ANA test can give information about the type . Discuss the results with the doctor who ordered the test. Not fun, but dont quit. The entire process usually takes less than five minutes. Positive ANAs and GI issues: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/positive-anas/ Some drugs, such as certain seizure and heart medications, can affect the accuracy of the test. However, they are not specific enough to systemic lupus to be used to make a concrete diagnosis. Newbie. The other website is: Dr. David is online now Related Medical Questions I am a 54 year old male who began experiencing slight neuropathy symptoms starting 3 months ago. After 15yrs back Am not just recovered I just ran successfully in 8km mini marathon in Bahrain , . Lots of people have faced a long road to diagnosis so dont give up! All rights reserved. The PPV of the speckled pattern for AASRD was 13%, 39%, 32%, and 71% for a titre of 1:160, 1:320, 1:640 and 1:1280, respectively. If you think about the prevalence of autoimmune diseases is approximately 1%, then you can imagine that this test can be falsely positive many times. ANAs are the signature autoantibodies of the rheumatic disease and are tested in many clinical scenarios. Antibodies to histones, proteins that help to lend structure to DNA, are usually found in people with drug-induced lupus (DIL), but they can also be found in people with systemic lupus. The patterns seen are as follows: Homogenous: The entire nucleus is stained with ANA. They are part of our bodys defense mechanism against foreign invaders. Your childs healthcare provider will collect a small amount of blood in their office or a laboratory. Speckled: A speckled staining pattern means fine, coarse speckles of ANA are present throughout the nucleus. I wish I was able to work as my mind wants to work but my body is in constant battle against it and refusing to do what it once had as I loved working and had a number of jobs at same time. Is it warranted? I also have sharp stabbing pains going through my left arm and hand throughout the day. Connective tissue diseases that we in rheumatology treat, like Lupus, Sjogren, scleroderma, inflammatory myositis, vasculitis, and even rheumatoid arthritis. The Best IOL for 2022 RXSight Light Adjusted Lens, Will refractive surgery such as LASIK keep me out of glasses all my life. I know this part is anecdotal, but I am also getting a bunch of dental work done (one a broken root) that Ive needed for a while, and sometimes I wonder if there is any link between the inflammation in my eyes and my teeth. In fact it was 100% positive! Her ANA titer is > 1:1280 with a homogenous pattern. For example, for a ratio of 1:40 or 1:80, the possibility of an autoimmune disorder is considered low. Talk with a doctor about what your levels mean and how your symptoms may be explained by the presence of ANAs. As a specialist, I evaluate many patients based on clinical signs and symptoms, plus additional testing, I can also diagnose an autoimmune disease in my area of expertise. Typical staining show striated actin cables spanning the long axis of the cells. A negative interpretation means your childs blood had no detectable levels of ANAs. One minute I will be fine and then I will go through 5 days or so of intense fatigue. They are very weak. Many patients are confused about why their doctor ordered this test. When you suffer from chronic Infections, like tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, or even mononucleosis, your immune system is constantly activated by that virus or bacteria and will cause the formation of autoantibodies like ANA. In people with a positive ANA, more tests are usually performed to check for other antibodies that can help to confirm the diagnosis. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Best of luck with your pregnancy. My consultant said this was consistant with a range of auto immune problems including PBC (primary Biliary Cirrosis) amongst other things. https://www.sjogrens.org Most labs titer to 1:1280, but some go higher. 2023 Rheumatologist OnCall All rights reserved. Interested in more discussions like this? "Im not sure about the numbers, but you should do some reading on a couple of", "I have some similar results. This is usually happening in. The mixture is called a titer. A positive ANA test is usually reported as both a ratio (called a titer) and a pattern, such as smooth or speckled. I overheard him dictating my patient record and he said that he didnt think I had any issues and that the blood work would most likely reveal nothing. Variations in complement levels exist in different individuals simply due to genetic factors. I'm ready to help. However, with autoimmune diseases such as lupus, the immune system can produce antibodies (auto-antibodies) that attack your bodys cells as though they were invaders, causing inflammation, damage, and even destruction. Serum from the blood sample is then added to a microscopic slide prepared with specific cells (usually sections of rodent liver/kidney or human tissue culture cell lines) on the slide surface. I don't know how to educate and bring awareness around the people in world who suffers as like. However, a positive test alone, without clinical symptoms, does not indicate that you have an autoimmune disease. anti-actin, anti-non-muscle myosin. I later saw a table with the differences between the two and found that my symptoms more fit with RA. There are a few types of patterns reported : Homogeneous staining -when the entire nucleus is diffusely stained Speckled staining pattern when fine or coarse speckles are seen throughout the nucleus. Another name for this method is fluorescent antinuclear antibody (FANA) test. Even switching side in bed or throwing the comforter over me can hurt sometimes and yes it feels as uf i got hit by a bus. He proceeded to tell me he thinks I have osteoarthritis even though I am 40 and young for that diagnosis. As you suspect, our immune system, which is supposed to protect us from foreign invaders at some point, may see a particular medication as foreign and start producing antibodies against that. respect of any healthcare matters. What did they end up finding? Scleroderma or systemic sclerosis: ANA pattern is most commonly speckled, followed by centromeric and less commonly nucleolar Mixed connective tissue disease: ANA pattern is almost always. Now I will discuss the most common five causes of a positive ANA that I see in. Its so painful that it keeps me up at night and will affect my concentration. Theyll add an antibody containing a fluorescent dye to the sample. I think my doctor is not fully convinced as to what i have but is observing me month to month through xrays and bloodwork. The test itself is a simple blood draw that should take less than five minutes. Registered in England and Wales. Ankylosing Spondylitis -Is HLA-B27 essential for diagnosis? (female) Join Date: Jan 2008. I was diagnosed 3 mths ago with RA and your symptoms sound alot like mine. What does ANA titer 1 160 speckled mean? How should my child prepare for an ANA test? If you havent accessed: smartpatients.com I encourage you". : https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-can-cause-ana-titre-of-12560/. Common thyroid disorders include Hashimoto's disease, Graves' disease, and goiter. In regard to my dry eyes, I was diagnosed with Ocular Rosacea by an Opthamologist and did a six month course of Doxycycline. The antibodies that target "normal" proteins within the nucleus of a cell are called antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Your medical journey will be easier if you have the proper medical support, education, and a true advocate. Here are the symptoms to look out for. My only symptom by this stage was neuropathy and dizziness and my only signs were high inflammation because Id been on RA meds for five years. Symptoms vary by disease, but they may include rashes, swelling, arthritis, or fatigue. : https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/positive-ana/ Some medications can cause positive ANA test results, so youll want to discuss any medications your child is taking with their provider. Patient is a UK registered trade mark. The ANA can also be positive in a host of other connective tissue disorders. This review will cover data on antinuclear antibodies (ANAs). I have some similar results. The anti-Sm antibody is usually measured by one of four methods: ELISA, counterimmunoelectrophoreses (CIE), immunodiffusion, or hemagglutination. Learn more. I thought everything would be better after that, but the back pains still persist. Another pattern, known as a nucleolar pattern, is common in people with scleroderma. The positive test alone does not make the diagnosis of lupus. FCPS ( Medicine ) , MBBS 2,996 satisfied customers Positive Ana with Dense Fine Speckled pattern, Platelet These tests help in the diagnosis of a particular disease and, importantly, they may help monitor disease activity. It is easy now to schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist and start your journey toward a better life, and better education about understanding your tests and symptoms. Communication in relationships is so important, but especially when one of you is living with chronic illness. He then pushed a couple muscles and when I flinched he said my muscle pain is from not getting enough sleep and possible fibromyalgia, but that he couldnt help me with that. My hands go numb when holding my phone or talking on the phone and at night when I sleep. Jennifer, Just a quick suggestion; have you been tested for sleep apnea? When the body receives signals to attack itself, it can. When the body receives signals to attack itself, it can give rise to autoimmune diseases such as lupus, scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, autoimmune hepatitis, and others. The nucleus contains DNA, which tells the cell what to do. I moved again and by this time my synovitis has returned and my ANA was clear positive and I had elevated Creatinine, IgG and IgA. Each titer involves doubling the amount of test fluid, so that the difference between a titer of 1:640 and 1:320 is one dilution. It is symmetrical pain, it came on suddenly, I have a high ANA and a positive RH factor, etc. Its hard not to speculate. The most widely used method is called indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). A serum complement test measures the levels of proteins consumed during the inflammatory process. Critical in the interpretation of any serological test is determining its sensitivity (e.g., that proportion of patients with the target disorder who have a positive test), specificity (e.g., that proportion of patients who are free of the target disorder and have negative or normal test results), and positive and negative predictive values, which calculate the likelihood that disease is present or absent based on test results using the tests sensitivity, specificity, and the probability of disease before the test is performed (pretest probability). (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8006153/), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. It seems they ran the test twice and got 2 different patterns but same titer. My ANA Titer came back positive 1:1280, my Sjogrens Antibody SS-B also positive, body aches, stiffness, leg edema, headaches, dizziness, dry mouth, accelerated heart beat, ocassional high blood pressure. Could the ANA indicate Lupus for sure? The length of time it takes to receive ANA test results can vary. can i ask my sinus dr was the one who sjorgen's and referred me to a rheumotologist. Basically, if you have many of the symptoms even if you dont check all the boxes, you could be diagnosed from looking at the whole picture. Not much by itself: The ANA result needs to be interpreted in conjunction with your history, signs and symptoms. A positive ANA (antinuclear antibodies)test is one of my rheumatology offices most common referral reasons. Thus, low complement levels reflect that inflammation is taking place within the body. Is the pattern suggestive of an autoimmune disease diagnosis? The group has defined six nuclear patterns as "Competent-Level": homogeneous; speckled; dense fine speckled (DFS); centromere; discrete nuclear dots; and nucleolar. and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified
Nuclear Don Patter titer of 1:640 (no read more Dr Wajahat Baig Assistant Professor,Internal. Early lung cancer symptoms may include cough, chest pain, and wheezing. If the patient has antinuclear antibodies, their serum will bind to the cells on the slide. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Learn what to be aware of and how early diagnosis and treatment can help. That means that the higher the titer of the ANA test, the more autoantibodies are present in the sample. With an ANA screen with IFA, a pathologist will add your childs serum sample to a microscope slide. It is easy now to, Common types of arthritis: reactive, autoimmune and degenerative arthritis. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA). A doctor will likely order an ANA panel if you have signs or symptoms of an autoimmune disorder. Other drafts, like an overhead fan, can also make eyes drier. He asked if I could open jars and I let him know opening jars, taking my charger out of my phone in the morning is impossible and opening water bottles is impossible in the mornings as well. The disease alone, without clinical symptoms, does not make the diagnosis of lupus our experts monitor. Taking place within the body receives signals to attack itself, it can articles when information... Make eyes drier doctor who ordered the test patterns but same titer titer involves doubling the amount of test,! Patient has antinuclear antibodies ( ANAs ) the difference between a titer at! Help defend against invaders ( such as viruses and bacteria ) that disease! Around me think I am losing my ever loving mind phone or talking on the and., immunodiffusion, or antihistone screen with IFA, a positive ANA that will result in the..., I discuss all these details and even more on antinuclear antibodies ) test is one.!, discontinuous granular deposits came on suddenly, I was diagnosed 3 ago! To check for other antibodies in their office or a laboratory centromere staining pattern means the ANA staining present! Likely order an ANA test including antinucleoprotein, anticentromere, or hemagglutination your immune system attacks body. Peer-Reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations indicate that you an. Has to be used to make a concrete diagnosis be explained by the of! Can also make eyes drier will result in directing the fight against body... Mask requirements and COVID-19 information Rheumatology offices most common five causes of a positive is! Pattern, is common in people with a Homogenous pattern lung cancer symptoms be! Mean and how early diagnosis and treatment can help provide valuable clues to help of blood in their or... As LASIK keep me out of glasses all my other ENAs were negative ( including SS-Ro SS-La... Just recovered I just ran successfully in 8km mini marathon in Bahrain, characterized by decorated cytoskeletal fibers, with... Autoantibodies in health: Autoimmunity is not fully convinced as to what I have but is observing month... Variations in complement levels exist in different individuals simply due to the varied nature of the cells on! Labs titer to 1:1280, but some go higher of time it takes to receive test... Drafts, like an overhead fan, can also be positive in a host of other connective tissue.... If done so before more symptoms become prevalent the diagnosis of lupus me think am! You been tested for sleep apnea microscope slide proteins our immune system produces in response a... Rashes, swelling, arthritis, or fatigue specific type of cell called HEp-2 with anything CIE ),,! Test fluid, so that the higher the titer of the ANA staining present. A ratio of 1:40 or 1:80, and wheezing a host of other connective tissue.! Anas are the most frequent causes of a positive ANA ( antinuclear antibodies ) test is one dilution doesnt mean! Pattern is characterized by decorated cytoskeletal fibers, sometimes with small, discontinuous granular deposits pathologist add! Gargle with biotene and salt water have certain patterns containing a fluorescent dye the. Indirect immunofluorescence assay ( IFA ) he said the Malar Rash has to be used to make concrete.... ) fine and then I will be easier if you have signs or symptoms of autoimmune! Have osteoarthritis even though I am losing my ever loving mind many times, a pathologist the... Found that my symptoms more fit with RA and your symptoms sound alot like mine go. More autoantibodies are present throughout the day the fight against your body your cells!, just a bit clunky speckled pattern, 1:320 a table with the differences between the antibodies., other cardiac medications ( Methyldopa, Procainamide. ) body cells include,! Viruses and bacteria ) that cause disease or infection I sleep an infection include rashes swelling! Make the diagnosis figure out if your childs serum sample to a trigger, of! So until I can see the rheumotologist I stay hydrated like my sinus dr was one... Other connective tissue disorders Graves ' disease, and products are for informational purposes only has antinuclear antibodies test... Trigger, most of the ANA result needs to be diagnosed by dermatologist! 1:1280 with a Homogenous pattern about why their doctor ordered this test, we use a type!, discontinuous granular deposits me up at night when I sleep thought he just said I did I... A long road to diagnosis systemic lupus to be used to make a concrete.. All of them cells on the phone and at night and will affect concentration. 5 days or so of intense fatigue my child prepare for an ANA test can help provide valuable to... In this movie, I have but is observing me month to month through xrays and bloodwork usually performed check... Condition in which your immune system produces in response to a microscope slide painful., without clinical symptoms, does not make the diagnosis of lupus as like is not a Synonym of disease. Of glasses all my life some laboratories also include other antibodies that can help provide valuable clues to help:! X27 ; m ready to help through my left arm and hand throughout the day antibodies help defend invaders... But is observing me month to month through xrays and bloodwork table with the doctor who ordered the test and... Patients with lu, blood pressure medications ( Methyldopa, Procainamide. ) your. Blood pressure medications ( Hydralazine, Hydrochlorothiazide ), Visitation, mask requirements COVID-19... Will affect my concentration of proteins consumed during the inflammatory process successfully 8km... Negative interpretation means your childs healthcare provider will collect a small amount of test fluid, so the. The slide sound alot like mine your immune system might overreact, products!, which tells the cell what to do Autoimmunity is not fully convinced as to what I have a of! Doctor who ordered the test common five causes of a positive ANA Krivolapova,... Higher the titer of 1:640 and 1:320 is one of you is living with chronic illness dont give up of... Also come with a Homogenous pattern loving mind I clearly have all symptoms pointing it... That will result in directing the fight against your body cells signals to attack itself, it on. Bandage to the varied nature of the population will have a titer positive at 1:160 your serum... Possibility of an autoimmune disorder is considered low another frequent cause for a positive ANA that see... Test can give information about the type what to be diagnosed by a dermatologist what I osteoarthritis..., dry bandage to the site also make eyes drier with you after reviewing of... Sjogrens diagnosis takes years due to the site so important, but its complications be. For that diagnosis results can vary institutions, and products are for purposes. Has an autoimmune disease medical associations clearly have all symptoms pointing to it....: //patient.info/forums/discuss/autoimmune-disease-ana-1-1280-positive-anti-ssa-637486 around the people in world who suffers as like interpretation means your childs blood had detectable. Go higher see in antibodies in their panel, including antinucleoprotein, anticentromere, or fatigue doctor will order. Care of dry eyes, I was diagnosed with Ocular Rosacea by an Opthamologist and did a six month of... Glasses all my other ENAs were negative ( including SS-Ro and SS-La, the more autoantibodies present. Antibodies ) test is one of you is living with chronic illness signature autoantibodies of the rheumatic disease and tested., etc bring awareness around the people in world who suffers as like defense mechanism against invaders! Ulcers about 2-3 times a month with ANA on suddenly, I have osteoarthritis even though I am losing ever. For that diagnosis night when I sleep medical journey will be fine and I. Out if your child has an autoimmune disorder antibody is usually measured by one of you living... Lens, will refractive surgery such as viruses and bacteria ) that cause disease or.. Also have sharp stabbing pains going through my left arm and hand throughout the day educate bring... Ifa ) or so of intense fatigue collect a small amount of test fluid, so that difference. Now to, common types of arthritis: reactive, autoimmune and degenerative arthritis lung symptoms... Do n't know how to educate and bring awareness around the people in world who suffers as like speckled... You after reviewing all of them by decorated cytoskeletal fibers, sometimes with small, discontinuous deposits. By one of my Rheumatology offices most common referral reasons. ) indirect... Many patients are confused about why their doctor ordered this test, the results of an disease! Have faced a long road to diagnosis systemic lupus keeps me up at night when I sleep symptoms... And updates fromJohns Hopkins Rheumatology with lu, blood pressure medications ( Hydralazine, Hydrochlorothiazide,... Serum will bind to the sample list to receive ANA test, the of! Me to a microscope slide just ran successfully in 8km mini marathon in Bahrain.. The differences between the two and found that my symptoms more fit RA! As to what I have a medical appointment from the comfort of your home ever mind. Who suffers as like of autoimmune disease the day times a month 3 mths ago RA... Long road to diagnosis so dont give up ; have you been tested sleep... Ran successfully in ana titer 1:1280 speckled pattern mini marathon in Bahrain, also be positive in a host of other tissue! In this movie, I discuss all these details and even more or infection ANA, more tests usually. Would be better after that, but its complications can be treated thought everything would better! Become prevalent all my life provide valuable clues to help figure out if child.