Several factors contribute to chronic cough in children

Factors such as asthma, nitrogen oxide (NO2), home remodelling history, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), pet, mould, and age＜1 year appear to predispose children to chronic coughing, according to the results of a meta-analysis.

Two researchers searched multiple online databases for observational studies wherein risk factors associated with chronic cough in children were investigated. They also performed the screening and quality assessment of identified studies. Baseline data were extracted from eligible articles.

A total of 18 studies, which involved 97,462 children, met the eligibility criteria. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models.

Pooled data showed that chronic cough in children was significantly associated with multiple factors. These included asthma (odds ratio [OR], 4.06, 95 percent CI, 2.37–6.96; p<0.01), NO2 (OR, 1.19, 95 percent CI, 1.01–1.39; p=0.031), home remodelling history (OR, 1.82, 95 percent CI, 1.61–2.05; p<0.01), environmental tobacco smoke (OR, 1.41, 95 percent CI, 1.15–1.73; p=0.001), pet exposure (OR, 1.56, 95 percent CI, 1.25–1.95, p<0.01), mould (OR, 1.64, 95 percent CI, 1.45–1.85; p<0.01), and age<1 year (OR, 3.19, 95 percent CI, 1.8–5.63, p<0.01).

In light of the few studies and insufficient evidence, the potential risk factors for chronic cough in children identified in the study need to be robustly confirmed by subsequent large-sample and multicenter trials, the investigators said.