title: Recurrent wheeze and cough in young children: is it asthma?
abstract: A clinical diagnosis of asthma is often considered when a child presents with recurrent cough, wheeze and breathlessness. However, there are many other causes of wheeze in a young child. These range from recurrent viral infections to chronic suppurative lung disease, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and rare structural abnormalities. Arriving at a diagnosis includes taking into consideration the symptomatology, triggers, atopic features, family history, absence of red flags and therapeutic trial, where indicated.
authors.affiliation: SingHealth Family Medicine Residency Programme, 3 Second Hospital Avenue, Singapore 168937. ng.chung.wai@singhealth.com.sg.
authors.forename: Mark Chung Wai
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Choon How
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: How
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003371:Cough / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016896:Treatment Outcome