title: Outcomes in children treated for persistent bacterial bronchitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Persistent bacterial bronchitis (PBB) seems to be under-recognised and often misdiagnosed as asthma. In the absence of published data relating to the management and outcomes in this patient group, a review of the outcomes of patients with PBB attending a paediatric respiratory clinic was undertaken.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review was undertaken of 81 patients in whom a diagnosis of PBB had been made. Diagnosis was based on the standard criterion of a persistent, wet cough for >1 month that resolves with appropriate antibiotic treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common reason for referral was a persistent cough or difficult asthma. In most of the patients, symptoms started before the age of 2 years, and had been present for >1 year in 59% of patients. At referral, 59% of patients were receiving asthma treatment and 11% antibiotics. Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae were the most commonly isolated organisms. Over half of the patients were completely symptom free after two courses of antibiotics. Only 13% of patients required > or =6 courses of antibiotics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PBB is often misdiagnosed as asthma, although the two conditions may coexist. In addition to eliminating a persistent cough, treatment may also prevent progression to bronchiectasis. Further research relating to both diagnosis and treatment is urgently required.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Respiratory Unit, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TH, UK.
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Donnelly
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Critchlow
authors.forename: Mark L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Everard
mesh_terms: D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000517:prevention & control; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019818:Clavulanic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D019818:Clavulanic Acid; D000658:Amoxicillin