A mother is concerned about her child's recent diagnosis of CHF. What symptom is typical in such children?

Shortness of breath is a typical symptom in children diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF). In CHF, the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, which can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs, causing pulmonary congestion. This results in difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, particularly during exertion or when lying flat, as the fluid accumulation increases. Additionally, children may exhibit other signs of respiratory distress, making shortness of breath a critical symptom to monitor.

In contrast, increased appetite is generally not associated with CHF; instead, these children may experience a decreased interest in feeding due to fatigue from the effort required for breathing. A decreased respiratory rate is also not characteristic of CHF; in fact, children with this condition often have an increased respiratory rate as they compensate for impaired oxygen exchange. Hyperactivity is typically not a symptom, as children with CHF may be more fatigued and less active due to their limited exercise tolerance. Thus, shortness of breath stands out as the most representative symptom of CHF in children.