title: [Diagnosis and treatment of recurrent coughing and wheezing in children younger than 4 years old].
abstract: Recurrent coughing and wheezing occur in 10-20% of children younger than 4 years. Forty per cent of these children develop allergic asthma, while in 60% the symptoms are transient. It is difficult to distinguish between persistent and transient symptoms; signs of allergy and lack of symptom-free intervals are suggestive of persistent asthma. In acute wheezing and coughing a trial treatment with beta-2 sympathicomimetic agents is indicated, preferably using an inhalation aerosol with feed container; for cases with pronounced symptoms or strong suspicion of allergic asthma, high-dose oral corticosteroid treatment is recommended. Maintenance treatment with inhalation corticosteroids is valuable in moderately severe complaints of allergic asthma and in severe complaints about recurrent wheezing.
authors.affiliation: Academisch Ziekenhuis, Beatrix Kinderkliniek.afd. Kinderlongziekten, Groningen.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Hoekstra
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000336:Aerosols; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012008:Recurrence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000336:Aerosols; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents