Recurrent wheeze and cough in young children: is it asthma?

A clinical diagnosis of asthma is often considered when a child presents with recurrent cough, wheeze and breathlessness. However, there are many other causes of wheeze in a young child. These range from recurrent viral infections to chronic suppurative lung disease, gastro-oesophageal reflux diseas...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSingapore medical journal Vol. 55; no. 5; pp. 236 - 241
Main Authors Ng, Mark Chung Wai, How, Choon How
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published India Singapore Medical Association 01.05.2014
Subjects
Asthma - diagnosis
Child, Preschool
Cough - diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Infant
Pediatrics - methods
Practice Integration & Lifelong Learning
Primary Health Care - methods
Respiratory Sounds - diagnosis
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:A clinical diagnosis of asthma is often considered when a child presents with recurrent cough, wheeze and breathlessness. However, there are many other causes of wheeze in a young child. These range from recurrent viral infections to chronic suppurative lung disease, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and rare structural abnormalities. Arriving at a diagnosis includes taking into consideration the symptomatology, triggers, atopic features, family history, absence of red flags and therapeutic trial, where indicated.
ISSN:0037-5675
2737-5935
DOI:10.11622/smedj.2014064