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Pediatric chronic cough: Allergies, environmental factors, and asthma-associated inflammation
Kaiwen Zheng1, Qin Wang2, Linyan Tang1
1School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China.
Insights
Pediatric chronic cough (CC) is linked to allergies and environmental factors. This study found CC in children is associated with allergic conditions, environmental exposures, and airway inflammation, suggesting an asthma link.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Allergy and Immunology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Chronic cough (CC) is a prevalent respiratory symptom in children.
- It is often associated with allergic conditions and environmental triggers.
- CC may indicate underlying asthma in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between chronic cough in children and allergic predispositions.
- To examine the role of environmental exposures in pediatric chronic cough.
- To assess airway inflammation markers and lung function in children with chronic cough.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted.
- Data collected included cough duration, allergic history, and environmental exposures.
- Airway inflammation was measured by fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO50), and spirometry assessed lung function.
Main Results:
- Children with CC had a significantly higher prevalence of allergic conditions (rhinitis, food allergy, eczema) and a family history of allergies.
- Environmental exposures like household smoking and mold were more common in children with CC.
- Elevated FeNO50 levels and impaired small airway function were observed in the CC group.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric chronic cough is strongly associated with allergic predispositions.
- Environmental exposures play a significant role in the development of pediatric CC.
- The findings suggest CC in children may represent an asthma-related phenotype with eosinophilic airway inflammation.
Background:
Chronic cough (CC) is a common respiratory symptom in children, often linked to allergic conditions, environmental exposures, and potentially indicative of underlying asthma.
Objective:
To investigate the relationships of CC in children with allergic predispositions, environmental exposures, and airway inflammatory markers.
Methods:
A case-control study was conducted at a tertiary hospital. Data on cough duration, personal and family allergic histories, and environmental exposures were collected. Airway inflammation was assessed using fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO50), and lung function was evaluated via spirometry.
Results:
Children with CC showed a higher prevalence of allergic conditions, including rhinitis (74.77% vs. 24.13%, OR = 9.312, p < 0.0001), food allergy (59.81% vs. 27.59%, OR = 3.907, p = 0.0017), eczema (55.14% vs. 31.03%, OR = 2.731, p = 0.0213), and family history of allergies (71.96% vs. 27.59%, OR = 6.738, p < 0.001). Environmental exposures, such as household smoking (55.14% vs. 20.69%, OR = 4.712, p = 0.001) and mold exposure (28.68% vs. 7.35%, OR = 3.442, p = 0.0251), were more common in the CC group. CC children exhibited elevated FeNO50 (median: 18 vs. 14 ppb, p = 0.0153) and impaired small airway function (FEF75%pred: 53.84 ± 20.21 vs. 65.07 ± 28.52, p = 0.0170).
Conclusions:
Pediatric CC is strongly associated with allergic predispositions, environmental exposures, and eosinophilic airway inflammation, potentially reflecting an asthma-related phenotype.
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