title: Inhaled nedocromil sodium for persistent cough in children.
abstract: The efficacy of inhaled nedocromil sodium (NS) for children with a persistent cough was studied. Children aged 4-12 years with a persistent cough for >1 month were recruited and entered a 2-week baseline period during which an asthma diary was kept. Children with a cough score of >20 received inhaled NS via a spacer, 4mg qid for 2 weeks followed by 4mg bd for another 4 weeks. Twenty-two (42%) of 52 children recruited fulfilled treatment criteria. Four children were withdrawn from the study (2 developed wheezing and 2 were not compliant). The baseline cough score (29.1 +/- 13.6) improved after 2 weeks of treatment (15.2 +/- 9.3, p < 0.01) and improvement was sustained after 6 weeks (14.2 +/- 13.0, p = 0.01). Parents and patients had a more favourable perception of its efficacy compared to physicians (72% vs 50%, p = 0.01) Inhaled NS may be considered for treatment of persistent cough in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Debruyne
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017835:Nedocromil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D017835:Nedocromil