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An underestimated cause of chronic cough: The Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis

Paola Di Filippo1, Alessandra Scaparrotta1, Marianna Immacolata Petrosino1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Chieti, 66100 Chieti, Italy.

Annals of Thoracic Medicine
|February 2, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) is a common cause of chronic cough in young children. Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment are crucial to prevent complications like bronchiectasis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Pulmonology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Chronic cough significantly impacts children's quality of life.
  • Protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) is a frequent cause of chronic wet cough in children under six.
  • PBB symptoms include cough worsening with postural changes and improvement with antibiotics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the importance of considering PBB in the differential diagnosis of chronic cough in children.
  • To emphasize the standard treatment of PBB with high-dose antibiotics.
  • To underscore the risks of misdiagnosing PBB, such as progression to bronchiectasis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of PubMed up to December 2016.
  • Search terms included "child," "chronic cough," and "protracted bacterial bronchitis."

Main Results:

  • PBB is a common cause of chronic cough in children under six.
  • A 2-week course of high-dose antibiotics is the standard treatment for PBB.
  • Misdiagnosis can lead to delayed or incorrect treatment, potentially causing bronchiectasis.

Conclusions:

  • PBB should be a key consideration in the differential diagnosis of chronic cough in pediatric patients.
  • Timely and adequate antibiotic therapy is essential for PBB resolution and preventing long-term respiratory complications.
  • Clinicians should extend or adjust antibiotic regimens for PBB rather than frequently switching therapies.

Keywords:
Asthmabronchiectasischildrencoughprotracted bacterial bronchitis

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