Pediatric dry cough is a common clinical symptom with diverse causes and evolving management approaches. While most episodes are associated with viral upper respiratory infections and resolve spontaneously, persistent or chronic cough requires careful evaluation to identify underlying conditions such as asthma, allergy, chronic bacterial bronchitis, pertussis, vocal cord dysfunction, or non-specific cough.[1][2] Clinical assessment should be guided by cough duration, symptom characteristics, and the presence of red flag features, with investigations reserved for chronic or severe cases.[3] Treatment is directed at the underlying cause and may include Dextromethorphan, Levodropropizine, expectorants, mucolytics, antihistamines, or bronchodilators, alongside avoidance of environmental irritants that can contribute to persistent cough.[4][5]
Reference(s):
2. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0177485
3. http://www.smj.org.sg/article/approach-chronic-cough-children
4. https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0012-3692(17)30075-2