Cough is a protective reflex that plays an important role in clearing foreign substances and secretions from the respiratory system. It is normal for a healthy child to have 10-12 coughs in a 24-hour period. However, a cough lasting at least 4 weeks is defined as chronic (prolonged) cough. In the examination of cases with chronic cough, a detailed history should be taken, and the patient's age, the duration and nature of the cough, the age at which the cough started, the factors that trigger the cough, the treatment received, family and family history, and home and environmental conditions should be questioned. It should be investigated whether there is a healthy period without cough. Cough in children is usually associated with viral infections and can last up to 10 days in 35-40% of patients. It may last up to 25 days in 10% of our children in the preschool period.
The differential diagnosis of chronic cough in children includes subacute and chronic infections (bacterial bronchitis, whooping cough, mycoplasma, tuberculosis), foreign body aspirations, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux, postnasal drip. The syndrome includes diagnoses such as sinusitis.
Children with chronic cough should be evaluated with a detailed history, a good physical examination, chest X-ray, and lung function test (spirometry), if it can be performed due to age.
Cough. It is divided into specific and nonspecific. Specific cough is associated with underlying respiratory or systemic diseases. Diagnosis is made with accompanying symptoms, findings, laboratory and radiography. Nonspecific cough should be considered if there are no specific cough symptoms and direct radiography and spirometry are normal. If the cough is bothersome, especially at night, and gets worse with exertion, it should be considered as asthma. In such cases, empiric bronchodilators and asthma medications should be tried and the response seen.
Cough in asthma is typically triggered by allergens, cigarettes, exercise, cold weather or viral infections and worsens at night. Since atopic diseases are hereditary, a family history of atopy and asthma should make these diagnoses considered in patients presenting with chronic cough.
In summary, an uninterrupted cough lasting 4 weeks or longer� Children with frequent complaints must be evaluated by a physician. As a result of detailed history, physical examination and tests, differential diagnosis should be made and treatment should be arranged.
Read: 0
