Retrospective evaluation of chronic cough causes in children

Retrospective Evaluation of Chronic Cough Causes in Children Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the chronic cough etiologies of the cases who consulted to the Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Pediatric Respiratory and Allergy Polyclinic and were followed-up between 2011-2014 by reason of chronic cough, and to contribute to the treatment of chronic cough. Materials and methods: The present study was performed retrospectively in children below 18 years of age, who consulted to the Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Children's Hospital, Pediatric Respiratory and Allergy Polyclinic due to the complaint of chronic cough. Detailed anamneses, duration and characteristics of cough, specific symptoms of cough, physical examination findings, the presence of any cough-stimulating factor, family characteristics, background, laboratory tests and their results, screening methods and treatments of the patients were recorded from their files. Results: 201 patients were included in the study. Patients' age range was from 6 month to 17 years, and the mean age was found 6,28±3,80 years. There were 125 (62,2%) male and 76 (37,8%) female patients. 21 cases (10,4%) were between 0 and 2 years, 78 were (38,8%) between 2 and 6 years, and 102 were (50,7%) over 6 years of age. No statistical difference was detected between gender and age groups (p=0.166). The mean duration of cough at the time of the consultation was found 9,21±5,96 week (4-24 weeks). There was no statistical difference found between the age groups regarding the duration of cough (p=0.173). Among 201 patients, the most common diagnoses were as follows: Upper Airway Cough Syndrome in 66 (32,8%) patients, Asthma/Asthma-Like Symptoms in 55 (27,4%), Persistent Bacterial Bronchitis in 30 (14,9%) and GastroesophagealReflux Disease in 10 (5,0%) patients. When the diagnoses of 201 patients were classified by their age groups, the most common diagnosis was GERD in 0-2 age group with 7 patients (33,3%), Asthma/Asthma-Like Symptoms in 2-6 age group with 23 patients (29,5%), Upper Airway Cough Syndrome in those over 6 years of age with 49 patients (48%). Conclusion: As a result, when we compare our study with other studies carried out both in our country and abroad, the causes of cough show significant differences as well as some similarities. In our study, the most common cause of chronic cough has been identified as GÖRH in the 0-2 age group, Asthma/Asthma Like Symptom in the 2-6 age group, ÜHÖS in the > 6 age group. The reason for this that we both have less cases and our clinic is responsible for respiratory and allergic diseases with selected cases are directed to our clinic. Hence, the etiology of chronic cough in children are needed to study with a large number of cases Key Words: Children, chronic cough, diagnosis, treatment