General
flk
What does flk mean?
Paediatricians' chart abbreviation for a child with subtle dysmorphic features — odd-set ears, unusual facies, something off — that suggests a genetic syndrome worth working up. Sounds cruel out of context, but it's a real diagnostic flag. The follow-up acronym FLP (Funny Looking Parent) means the kid probably just looks like dad.
"Noted FLK on exam — sending to genetics for a microarray."
Origin
Anglo-American paediatric ward jargon, in use since at least the 1970s; flagged repeatedly in BMJ pieces on medical slang.
Frequently asked questions
Do doctors actually write FLK in notes?
Less so now — modern record-keeping and patient access to charts has pushed most of these acronyms out of writing and into the corridor.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
