Chronic Cough: A neglected area in pediatric clinical practice

Year 2018, , 229 - 335, 05.09.2018

Ali Özdemir

https://doi.org/10.5798/dicletip.457227

Abstract

Objective:
Cough is one of the most common but usually neglected complaint in pediatric
clinical practice. We aimed to explore the knowledge, attitude and clinical
practice among general pediatricians on chronic cough management.

Methods:
Data were prepared as questionnaires that had been developed by cough
guidelines in the literature.  Results:
Among 109 general pediatricians, a total of 88 (80,7%) participated into the
study; 43.2 % were female and the mean age was 42.01±7.89 yrs. The response for
the definition of chronic cough ranged from 2 weeks to 6 months. Of the
participants, 45.4% stated that they frequently evaluated children with chronic
cough. The majority (79.5%) sought consultation from one to four discrete
specialties. The most frequently ordered two tests were chest radiography
(88.6%) and complete blood count (30.7%). The majority of pediatricians
prescribed antibiotics (95.5%), antitussives (67.0%), expectorants (77.3%),
anti-histamines (62.5%) and empiric anti-reflux medications (69.3%) to children
with chronic cough. Most commonly prescribed antibiotic was macrolides (95.5%).
Among pediatricians, only 12.5% questioned passive smoking exposure and rarely
advised professional counseling against smoking to parents (55.6%).Overall,
66.0% of pediatricians agreed that they did not feel fully satisfied in the
management of chronic cough in children. All supported the preparation of a
national guideline and were willing for postgraduate education on chronic cough
management. 

Conclusions:
This study emphasizes the pediatricians’ lack of knowledge on chronic cough
management in children. Education is crucially important on chronic cough
management among general pediatricians which possibly decrease the differences
in personal practice.  

Keywords

Children, chronic cough

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