title: [Persistent coughs in children and adolescents].
abstract: A persistent cough lasting more than 4-8weeks should lead to a diagnostic workup. A detailed history and a full clinical examination, with a chest X-ray, are essential for initial assessment. Most reported causes of chronic cough in children are post-nasal drip syndrome, cough variant asthma (a spirometry with test of bronchodilator responsiveness should be attempted in children old enough to perform the manoeuvres). GERD is often suspected but a causal relationship is difficult to establish. Protracted bacterial bronchitis, post-infectious cough (B. pertussis, Mycoplasma) and somatoform respiratory disorders (including hyperventilation syndrome) are also common. Signs which are pointers suggesting an underlying respiratory or systemic disease require further investigation: inhaled foreign bodies, cystic fibrosis and chronic lung diseases with bronchiectasis, airway abnormalities, interstitial lung diseases need to be considered. Recent reports of refractory coughs have identified features of a sensory neuropathy disorder, and might explain persistent cough triggers.
authors: Service de pédiatrie générale, CHU Ambroise-Paré, AP-HP, 9, avenue Charles-de-Gaulle, 92100 Boulogne, France; Université Versailles - Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, 78280 Guyancourt, France. Electronic address: gregoire.benoist@apr.aphp.fr.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Benoist
authors: Service de pédiatrie générale, CHU Ambroise-Paré, AP-HP, 9, avenue Charles-de-Gaulle, 92100 Boulogne, France.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Bidat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003371:Cough / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003663:Decision Trees; D006801:Humans