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Analysis of the Literature on Chronic Cough in Children
Marcello Bergamini1, Ahmad Kantar2, Renato Cutrera3
1Local Health Trust of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Insights
Chronic cough in children stems from respiratory and immune system development. Effective treatment requires child-specific evaluations and further research into pediatric cough causes and therapies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Childhood Respiratory Medicine
- Pediatric Immunology
Background:
- Childhood development significantly impacts the cough reflex, altering respiratory and nervous systems.
- Postnatal immunological maturation and immune memory acquisition influence cough responses.
- Infections and airway abnormalities are primary drivers of chronic cough in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review and analyze medical literature up to 2014 on chronic cough in children.
- To examine epidemiologic, etiologic, diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic aspects of pediatric chronic cough.
- To identify gaps in research, particularly concerning epidemiology and quality of life.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of studies published up to 2014.
- Analysis of definitions, diagnostic procedures, and prevalence of causes.
- Comparison of therapeutic approaches in children versus adults.
Main Results:
- Variability noted in chronic cough definitions, diagnostic methods, and prevalence of causes across studies.
- Limited research exists on the epidemiology and quality of life impact of chronic cough in children.
- Therapies effective in adults show reduced efficacy in children.
Conclusions:
- Chronic cough in children necessitates etiology-based treatment and child-specific diagnostic protocols.
- Accurate diagnosis and treatment depend on understanding pathophysiological variations in children.
- Further research is crucial for improved diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies for pediatric chronic cough.
Abstract:
Throughout childhood, various developmental phenomena influence the cough reflex. Among these are the modifications in the anatomy and functions of the respiratory tract and the central and peripheral nervous systems. Moreover, after birth, the immunological response undergoes progressive transformations with the acquisition of immune memory processes. These conditions make infections and airway abnormalities the overwhelming cause of chronic cough in children and infants. In children, chronic cough should be treated on the basis of etiology. The aim of this article is to provide thorough research and analysis of the medical literature published up to 2014 on chronic cough in children as a disease entity, including the epidemiologic, etiologic, diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic aspects. Our results demonstrate differences in the definition of chronic cough, the characteristics of diagnostic procedures, study settings, and prevalence of the main causes. However, few studies regarding epidemiology and the quality of life have been reported. Many therapeutic approaches that are considered effective in adults with chronic cough seem to be less efficient in children. Regardless of the setting, whether pediatric or non-pediatric, children with chronic cough should be carefully evaluated using child-specific protocols and algorithms. Awareness of the various pathophysiological conditions associated with chronic cough is vital for making a correct diagnosis and providing appropriate treatment. The prevalence of the different causes of chronic cough depends on various issues. Among these are the population under consideration and its age range, infectious disease control and prevention, the diagnostic procedures employed, disease definition criteria, and the local health system. Clinical guidelines for the management of children with chronic cough should take these components into consideration. Further clinical and basic research studies are still needed for better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of chronic cough in children.
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