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Approximately 7% of all children who visit their primary care clinician has cough longer than three to four weeks.

Here are the causes of chronic cough by age:

Birth to 1 year old: Infection (Pertussis, TB, Chlamydia, Viral), Passive smoke exposure,  Congenital Anomalies,   Aspiration syndrome,  Gastroesophageal reflux, Cystic fibrosis, Bronchopulmonary dysplasia

One to 5 years old:   Infection (Pertussis, Mycoplasma, TB, Bronchiolitis, Viral), Sinusitis, Asthma,  Foreign body aspiration,  Environmental (Passive smoking, allergy to pets, birds, etc),  Passive smoke exposure, Cystic fibrosis, Bronchiectasis (Ciliary dyskinesia, Immunodeficiency syndromes)

Six to 10 years old: Asthma, Infections (Pertussis, Mycoplasma, TB),  Allergy,  Sinusitis, Gastroesophageal reflux, Passive smoke exposure,  Cystic fibrosis,  Bronchietasis, Environmental pollution

Eleven to 19 years old: Asthma,  Sinusitis,  Allergic rhinitis,  Infection (Mycoplasma pneumonia, Viral, Pertussis),  Smoking,  Cystic fibrosis,  Bronchiectasis,  Environmental pollution,  Psychogenic or habit cough, Medications & drugs

Chronic cough by frequency:

Common causes of chronic cough (Horses):   Asthma, Sinusitis, Allergic Rhinitis,  Pertussis,  Gastroesophageal reflux,  Pneumonia (Mycoplasma, TB, Chlamydia)

Not so common causes (Zebras): Congenital anomalies,  Cystic fibrosis,  Foreign Body aspiration, Lymphadenopathy, Tumors

Very rare causes (Quaggas): Ciliary Dyskinesia,  Fungal infection (Aspergillosis)

Reference: Modified from, Contemporary Pediatrics, March 1998, page 167

Leo Leonidas, MD, FAAP  

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