Contemplating chronic cough in children

Chronic cough is one of the most common reasons children seek care from their pediatrician. A cough can be distressing both to the patient and family as it may raise concerns for a significant underlying diagnosis that could warrant a thorough investigation. Chronic cough can be challenging for the family and the pediatrician due to its broad differential diagnosis. This article highlights an approach to categorizing the differential diagnoses of chronic cough to help guide testing or treatment when evaluating a pediatric patient with chronic cough.