Advanced Health Tune Up

Cough - Children

Definition

Cough is defined as explosive expiration providing a protective mechanism for clearing the tracheobronchial tree of secretions and foreign material, and is necessary to aid normal oxygenation. Interruption of the cough reflex—as in certain neuromuscular disorders or excessive coughing, which can cause cerebral ischemia and thus interfere with respiration—can impair this process. The cough is one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention. It can indicate a minor airway irritation or a serious underlying disorder. Coughs are generally diagnosed into one of two categories:

Acute cough (less than three weeks duration)—usually from viral/bacterial upper respiratory tract infections (URIs)
Chronic cough (more than three weeks duration)—attributable to underlying factors. One-fourth of patients have multiple contributing disorders, making systematic evaluation essential.

Aetiology / Risk Factors

Viral or bacterial URI
Lower respiratory tract infection, including bronchitis, pneumonia
Inhaled irritants, such as cigarette smoke, airborne pollutants, or noxious fumes
Allergies
Asthma
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
Upper-airway secretions, sinusitis
Aspiration
Stimulation of neural receptors in the pleura, pericardium, or ears (severe wax impaction) may cause chronic coughs.
Immunosuppressive diseases

Symptoms & Signs

Upper Respiratory Infection
Postnasal drip
Wheezing (cough variant asthma)
Heartburn (GORD)
Regurgitation
Fever/chills/night sweats
Oedema (congestive heart failure)
Weight loss (cancer)
Features of cough: dry/ hacking/barking, or moist/productive; paroxysmal, etc.
Sputum
Dyspnoea