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Chronic cough is a common complaint in primary care pediatrics and a difficult symptom for families. Researchers in Australia evaluated management of chronic cough using an algorithm based on available evidence (mostly nonrandomized trials) and expert consensus. They randomized 272 referred children (mean age, 4.5 years) with chronic cough (>4 weeks; median, 16 weeks) and without known chronic respiratory illness at five tertiary centers to receive early or delayed (about 3 weeks later) management according to an algorithm:
Children were initially assessed for red flags for underlying conditions and treated accordingly. Those without red flags and with normal chest x-ray and spirometry who had ”wet” cough received 2 weeks of antibiotics, and…