Recommendations for diagnostic and therapeutic management of cough in children – update

Cough, a physiological reflex, is also the most common symptom of respiratory diseases in children. In terms of duration, we distinguish acute cough, lasting up to 4 weeks, and chronic cough, lasting over 4 weeks. With regard to its nature, cough is classified as dry and productive. The most common causes of acute cough in children are viral infections that do not require causative treatment. Chronic cough always needs further diagnostics. In addition to a detailed history and physical examination, additional investigations are often required. The basic diagnostic tests in children with chronic cough are chest X-ray and spirometry. In the diagnostic process of both acute and chronic cough in children, the presence of alarming symptoms and those indicating defined diseases must be excluded. The article presents the principles of acute and chronic cough diagnostics and methods of symptomatic treatment of both dry and productive cough, including management in children under 2 years of age.