Cough in children: when does it matter?

Cough is a common presenting symptom to paediatricians and paediatric respiratory physicians. The causes of chronic cough in childhood are significantly different from those in adults, and a different approach to diagnosis and management is needed. In most cases cause can be identified or a satisfactory label given. This review will cover the approach to cough in children and cover some specific causes of troublesome cough not discussed elsewhere in this mini-symposium.