[Persistent coughs in children and adolescents]

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.