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Summary
Children with chronic cough but no wheezing may have undiagnosed asthma. Exercise provocation tests and bronchodilator trials can confirm asthma, leading to better management and avoiding ineffective treatments.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Pulmonology
- Allergy and Immunology
Background:
- Asthma in children can present atypically, without classic wheezing symptoms.
- Chronic cough in children is often misdiagnosed and ineffectively treated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify an unusual presentation of asthma in children characterized by chronic cough.
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of exercise provocation tests and bronchodilator trials in these cases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 11 children with chronic cough and no wheezing.
- Pulmonary function tests, exercise provocation tests, and therapeutic trials with bronchodilators were utilized.
- Assessment of previous unsuccessful treatments including antibiotics, antitussives, and antihistamines.
Main Results:
- 11 children presented with chronic cough as the sole symptom of asthma.
- Routine pulmonary function tests were normal in most cases.
- Exercise provocation tests confirmed asthma in 10 children, as did bronchodilator trials.
Conclusions:
- Chronic cough without wheezing can be a hidden manifestation of asthma in children.
- Exercise provocation testing and bronchodilator response are crucial for diagnosing this asthma subtype.
- Early diagnosis improves asthma management and avoids prolonged, ineffective treatments.