A clinical study of chronic cough in infancy

Lee, Soo Jung; Lee, Joon Sung; Whang, Kyung Tai; Cho, Sung Hoon

Abstract

Clinical studies were made on 50 cases of chronic cough infants who were admitted to the department of Pediatrics of Kangnam St. Mary' s hospital from January, 1990 to July, 1991. The results were as follows; 1) The age distribution was from 3 months to 24 months old, and the most prevalent age group was 13~18months old. The male to female was 2.1:1. 2) The etiologic classification of the 50 cases were infantile asthma in 23 cases(46%), viral lower respiratory infection in 13 cases(26%), and infantile asthma associated with sinusitis in 5 cases(10%). 3) Cough was the most common clinical manifestation in all cases and followed by rhinorrhea, dyspnea, fever, and nasal stuffiness. Among physical findings, wheezing rales, and chest retraction were noted. 4) The duration of cough was 5 to 8 weeks in 26 cases(52%), 2 to weeks in 19 cases(38%), and above 9 weeks in 5 cases(10%). 5) 13 of 50 cases had a past allergic history and 8 of 50 cases had a family history of allergy. 6) In 50 cases, formula feeding was done in 28 cases(56%), breast feeing in 13 cases(26%), and mixed feeding in 9 cases(18%). 7) Eosinophilia was noted in 39.3% of infantile asthma and total IgE level above 100IUm/ml was noted in 60.7% of infantile asthma and in 18.2% of other diseases. 8) RAST results of infantile asthma showed that the positivity was 21.4% in house dust, 32.1% in Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, 28.6% in Dermatophagoides farinae, 28.6% in egg white, 35.7% in milk. The ratio of positive RAST results were higher in infantile asthma than in other diseases. 9) Abnormal findings, including overinflation, infiltration, increased bronchovascular marking, and atelectasis, were noted in 42 cases(84%) on chest X-ray. In 7 cases, total opacification was noted on Waters' and Caldwell's view. In conclusion, chronic cough in infancy is best managed by determining the precise cause of the cough, then specificially treating the underlying disorder.