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Update on Pediatric Cough

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Abstract

Despite the high prevalence of cough in children, the topic has been poorly researched. Although pediatricians recognize that chronic cough in children is different from that in adults, this difference seems less recognizable to other health professionals. During childhood, the respiratory tract and nervous system undergo a series of anatomical and physiological maturation processes that influence the cough reflex. Additionally, immunological responses undergo developmental and memorial processes that make infection and congenital abnormalities the overwhelming cause of cough in children. The lack of comprehensive clinical data regarding chronic cough in children has initially required pediatricians to adopt an adult approach to the problem. In the last 10 years, however, research has led to the reconsideration of the etiology of chronic cough in children. Currently, attention has focused on protracted bacterial bronchitis as a major cause of chronic cough in preschool-aged children and as a possible precursor of bronchiectasis. New research horizons are emerging for both the treatment and prevention of particular causes of chronic cough in children.

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Acknowledgments

The author is greatly indebted to all the doctors who have contributed in performing the diagnostic investigations: B. Tagliaferri (Ospedale Fatebenefratelli e Oftalmico, Milan) for CT scanning, GL. de’Angelis (Department of Pediatrics, University of Parma) and F. Lella for pH impedance and esophagogastroscopy, A. Barbato (Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova) and M. Cologni for flexible bronchoscopy, E. Bolandrini and M. Papalia for Rhinoscopy and ENT evaluation, and F. Lecce for psychological assessment.

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  1. Pediatric Asthma and Cough Centre, Istituti Ospedalieri Bergamaschi, University and Research Hospitals, via Forlanini 15, Ponte San Pietro-Bergamo, 24036, Bergamo, Italy

    Ahmad Kantar

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Correspondence to Ahmad Kantar.

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Kantar, A. Update on Pediatric Cough. Lung 194, 9–14 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-015-9815-6

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