Cough is a highly prevalent symptom in children, with 69-70% experiencing episodes, usually associated with colds, and most children having 5-8 episodes each year lasting 7-9 days. It is a protective respiratory reflex that clears secretions, foreign particles, and irritants from the airways. Successful cough management depends on accurate diagnosis through a careful medical history and appropriate diagnostic tests, including assessment of sputum characteristics, medication use, smoking or environmental exposure, and timing of symptoms.[1][2] Common causes include asthma, bronchiectasis, COVID, COPD, drug-induced cough, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Treatment should be based on the underlying cause, with appropriate use of antitussives, expectorants, mucolytics, antihistamines, or bronchodilators when indicated.[3][4]
Reference(s):
2. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0177485
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1094553918302852?via%3Dihub