The coughing child. A primary care perspective.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Clinical Practice Guidelines

Background:

• Cough is a common pediatric complaint, presenting diagnostic challenges in primary care.
• Differentiating causes of pediatric cough requires careful clinical evaluation, particularly in infants.

Observation:

• Recurrent nighttime cough following an upper respiratory infection in healthy children warrants consideration of asthma.
• A positive family history of asthma increases the likelihood of this diagnosis.

Findings:

• Asthma should be a primary consideration for nighttime cough in children, especially post-URI.
• History taking is crucial for evaluating cough in primary care settings.

Implications:

• Prompt consideration of asthma can lead to earlier diagnosis and management in children.
• This approach aids primary care physicians in effectively evaluating common pediatric respiratory symptoms.