Management of chronic cough in children

Abstract

Cough is a common reason for seeking medical advices for children. Cough is a natural defense mechanism and can frequently occur in healthy children and can be increased by urban living and polluted cities. Thus, previous history, cough exacerbations factors and quality of cough are very helpful in diagnosis of pathological cough. There are different definitions for chronic cough. In this article chronic cough in children is referred to as a cough over a three week period, which is divided into two categories specific and nonspecific chronic coughs. In case of finding no specific cause for chronic cough, the elective management is follow up of the patient, insurance of parents and avoidance of unuseful antitussive drugs. Symptomatic treatment of cough has similar effects as the placebo. Thus, they are generally not recommended for children. Considering various aspects of diagnostic and therapeutic management of chronic cough in children and the right approach, are essential for different medical disciplines.