Findings associated with cough

Possible diagnosis

Spontaneously resolving cough, good health

Postinfectious cough

Wheezing, dry nocturnal cough, atopy, positive familiarity for asthma/allergy

Asthma

Protracted airway infections, wet cough, positive sputum/BAL culture of a respiratory pathogen

PBB, bronchiectasis

Recurrent lower airways infections, growth failure, chronic sinusitis, hemoptysis, steatorrhea

Cystic fibrosis

Persistent wet cough, digital clubbing, exertional dyspnea, chest wall deformity, auscultatory findings

Chronic Suppurative Lung Disease

Recurrent, severe or atypical Infection

Immunodeficiency (primary or secondary)

Vomiting, sialorrhea, neurodevelopmental disorders

Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease–foreign body aspiration

Stridor, metallic, or biphasic cough

Airway anomalies (tracheomalacia–bronchomalacia)

Situs inversus, recurrent sinusitis, and/or otitis, recurrent lower airways infections

Primary ciliary dyskinesia