Management plans should be based upon the right identification of the particular underlying etiology of chronic cough in children.

• Dry cough is succeeded with trial of inhaled corticosteroid medium dose for 4-6 weeks, if is unresolved, refer to specialist.

• Wet cough is treated with antibiotics like amoxicillin/clav for 2 weeks and if it does not resolves refer to a specialist

• The use of a standardized algorithm in the management of children with chronic cough recovers clinical outcomes

• Recommendations based on evidence should be used for the management of specific causes of chronic cough in children such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia, immunodeficiency, and tuberculosis.

• Foreign body inhalation should always be considered in children with chronic cough.

• Protracted or persistent bacterial bronchitis is identified as a common cause of chronic cough in children and is typified as a chronic wet cough with positive bronchoalveolar lavage (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis) that resolves with antibiotic therapy.

• In otherwise healthy children with non-specific chronic cough, watchful observation with follow-up assessment (in 6–8 weeks) is acceptable.

• A analytical trial of anti-asthma therapy or inhaled corticosteroids can be used in severe chronic cough cases.

• Inhaled nasal corticosteroids, anti-histamines and allergen avoidance are recommended in atopic children with features of allergic rhinitis

• Children with features exhibiting habit (psychogenic) cough can get advantage from psychotherapy, like suggestion and/or behavioral therapy.

Source: Int J Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2015 Mar;2(1):38-43.