Cough in the pediatric population

Anne B Chang1, Robert G Berkowitz

  • 1Queensland Children's Respiratory Centre, Children's Medical Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia. annechang@ausdoctors.net

Insights

Pediatric chronic cough requires careful evaluation by otolaryngologists. This review covers key diagnoses like rhinosinusitis and foreign body aspiration, emphasizing comprehensive assessment for effective management.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Pediatric Pulmonology

Background:

  • Pediatric cough, especially chronic cough, frequently leads to referrals to otolaryngologists.
  • Accurate diagnosis and management are crucial for improving children's quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight and discuss cough-related issues pertinent to otolaryngologists.
  • To provide an evidence-based overview of potential diagnoses for pediatric cough.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on pediatric cough and otolaryngologic conditions.
  • Synthesis of evidence regarding common and less common causes of cough in children.

Main Results:

  • Common diagnoses include rhinosinusitis, foreign body aspiration, and tracheomalacia.
  • Otolaryngologists must consider a broad differential diagnosis for pediatric cough.

Conclusions:

  • Otolaryngologists play a vital role in diagnosing and managing pediatric cough.
  • Awareness of diverse etiologies ensures optimal patient care and outcomes.

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention01:30

Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention

Nursing management of pneumonia involves promoting airway patency, facilitating rest and conserving energy, encouraging fluid intake, maintaining nutrition, and educating patients.
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.