What sign is indicated when a child uses arms to stand up from a squat?

Prepare for USMLE Step 1 Pathology Exam with comprehensive quizzes, flashcards, and detailed explanations. Enhance your understanding and be exam-ready!

The sign identified when a child uses their arms to stand up from a squat is known as Gowers' sign. This sign is particularly significant in the context of muscular dystrophies, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. When a child demonstrates Gowers' sign, they are using their hands to "walk" up their legs in order to assist their body in rising from a squatting position. This behavior reveals muscle weakness, particularly in the proximal muscles of the legs, as the child lacks the strength to rise without support.

Gowers' sign is a classic clinical manifestation observed by physicians to assess for underlying neuromuscular disorders that often present in early childhood. Recognizing this sign can prompt further evaluation and intervention for conditions that affect muscle strength and function.

Other signs listed in the choices, such as Chorea sign, Friedreich's sign, and Perry's sign, pertain to different neurological or musculoskeletal conditions but are not associated with the action of standing from a squat as seen with Gowers' sign.

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