Abstract

Differential diagnosis of chronic cough in childhood consists of subacute and chronic infections (bacterial bronchitis, pertussis, mycoplasma, tuberculosis), foreign body aspirations and asthma in which cough is dominant. Detailed history, age of the patient, the age when cough started, time and character of the cough, factors that trigger coughing, previous treatments, previous illnesses, operations, family history, household and environmental conditions must be questioned. Causes of chronic cough are different in children when compared with adults, so, the use of algorithms is helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough.