SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2005

11/20/05

Cough in children

Summary
Background – There are both similarities and differences in the cough patterns appearing in children and adults.

Findings - The characteristics of chronic cough (CC) in children were reviewed by Chang of the Royal Children's Hospital in Brisbane Australia. It was pointed out that cough reflexes and respiratory control mechanisms appear closely linked with maturational changes occurring in both processes. The three conditions (asthma, postnasal drip and Gerd) reported by Irwin's group to be the most common causes of CC in adults are much less frequent causes of CC in children. Also, therapeutic agents such as antihistamines, codeine group agents such as DM and corticosteroids are much less effective in controlling non-specific CC in children than in adults.

Reference
COUGH 2005;1:7

Editor's Comments
This report is important in its emphasis on what is different in the CC of children and adults. What it dies not make clear are the more common causes of CC in children.

Although I have not treated small children for years, I have been impressed that CC in children frequently exists as a symptom persisting after what appears to be a fairly typical respiratory infection. Although I no longer treat small children, I have seen a number of children whose CC is reduced by a DM-containing “cough syrup” provided that an adequate dose of DM is ingested.

 

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