Chronic cough in children

• Published in: Paediatric respiratory reviews Vol. 14; no. 2; pp. 100 - 106
• Main Authors: Shields, Michael D, Doherty, Gary M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2013
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Bronchitis - complications; Bronchitis - diagnosis; Bronchitis - drug therapy; Child; Chronic cough; Chronic Disease; Cough - diagnosis; Cough - drug therapy; Cough - etiology; Cough variant asthma; Disease Management; Humans; Pediatrics; Pertussis; Protracted bacterial bronchitis; Pulmonary/Respiratory; Upper airways cough syndrome; Pertussis; Protracted bacterial bronchitis; Chronic cough; Upper airways cough syndrome; Cough variant asthma
• ISSN: 1526-0542; 1526-0550
• DOI: 10.1016/j.prrv.2012.05.002

Summary Chronic cough has been variably defined as a cough lasting longer than 3, 4 or 8 weeks. Many post viral or pertussis like illnesses are associated with prolonged coughing that resolves over time. Management involves first trying to make a diagnosis and identify the presence of any underlying condition. Targeted treatments can then be employed. Trials of treatments are often used to make a diagnosis. Because natural resolution of cough is so common any trial of treatment to confirm a diagnosis should be time limited and the treatment only restarted if the coughing returns. Only a small proportion of children with an isolated non-specific dry cough have asthma and care is needed not to over diagnose asthma. Children with chronic wet cough may have protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) that responds to a full course of antibiotics. Children with PBB failing to respond to treatment or with specific pointers should be investigated for specific causes of suppurative lung disease.