title: Prescribing for persistent cough in children.
abstract: To identify the medications general practitioners consider for the treatment of persistent isolated cough, we undertook a postal questionnaire survey of a sample of general practitioners in east London. Fewer than 10% indicated that they never prescribed for such cough. About 70% sometimes considered antibiotics and/or bronchodilators in all age groups. Inhaled steroids and cromoglycate were considered by about 30% of prescribers for infants compared with over 60% for older age groups. As yet there is no evidence that medication is beneficial for persistent isolated cough. The role of asthma drugs for children with this symptom needs to be evaluated so that we can better identify those who are likely to benefit.
authors.affiliation: Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children, Royal Hospitals Trust, London, U.K.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Picciotto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hubbard
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sturdy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Naish
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: McKenzie
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids