title: Associated factors in children with chronic cough.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Children presenting with chronic cough are common to the primary care physicians, but data on the etiology are scant.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 40 children (age range, 5 to 12 years) with chronic cough (> 8 weeks duration) with no obvious cause who were referred by their primary care physicians. All patients underwent an extensive multispecialty workup that included pulmonary, GI, allergy, immunology, and otorhinolaryngology testing. Response to treatment was quantified pretreatment and 8 weeks after treatment by using a visual analog scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Positive diagnostic test results were noted for gastroesophageal reflux disease (27.5%), allergy (22.5%), asthma (12.5%), infection (5%), aspiration (2.5%), and multiple etiologies (20%). Appropriate treatment for these factors resulted in a significant improvement in cough.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reflux, allergy, and asthma accounted for > 80% of the likely etiologic factors of chronic cough in children and responded to appropriate treatment.
authors: West Jefferson Medical Center, New Orleans, LA. Electronic address: vkhoshoo@sbcglobal.net.
authors: Vikram
authors: V
authors: Khoshoo
authors: West Jefferson Medical Center, New Orleans, LA.
authors: Dean
authors: D
authors: Edell
authors: Tulane University, New Orleans, LA.
authors: Sopan
authors: S
authors: Mohnot
authors: West Jefferson Medical Center, New Orleans, LA.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Haydel
authors: West Jefferson Medical Center, New Orleans, LA.
authors: Emilio
authors: E
authors: Saturno
authors: Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, LA.
authors: Aaron
authors: A
authors: Kobernick
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003371:Cough / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors