Acute cough in children and adolescents: A systematic review and a practical algorithm by the Italian Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology

• Gian Luigi Marseglia ^[1] ; Sara Manti ^[2] ; Elena Chiappini ^[3] ; Ilaria Brambilla ^[1] ; Carlo Caffarelli ^[4] ; Mauro Calvani ^[8] ; Fabio Cardinale ^[9] ; Claudio Cravidi ^[10] ; Marzia Duse ^[5] ; Alberto Martelli ^[11] ; Domenico Minasi ^[12] ; Michele Miraglia del Giudice ^[13] ; Giovanni Pajno ^[6] ; Diego G. Peroni ^[7] ; Maria Angela Tosca ^[14] ; Amelia Licari ^[1] ; Giorgio Ciprandi ^[15]
  1. [1] University of Pavia

     University of Pavia

     Pavía, Italia

     
  2. [2] University of Catania

     University of Catania

     Catania, Italia

     
  3. [3] University of Florence

     University of Florence

     Firenze, Italia

     
  4. [4] University of Parma

     University of Parma

     Parma, Italia

     
  5. [5] Università de Roma La Sapienza

     Università de Roma La Sapienza

     Roma Capitale, Italia

     
  6. [6] University of Messina

     University of Messina

     Mesina, Italia

     
  7. [7] University of Pisa

     University of Pisa

     Pisa, Italia

     
  8. [8] Operative Unit of Pediatrics, S. Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy.
  9. [9] Pediatric Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria “Policlinico-Giovanni XXIII, Bari, Italy.
  10. [10] ASST-Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
  11. [11] Pediatric Unit, ASST-Rhodense, Garbagnate Milanese (MI), Italy.
  12. [12] Pediatric Unit, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano, Reggio Calabria, Italy.
  13. [13] Department of Woman and Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.
  14. [14] Allergy Center, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
  15. [15] Allergy Clinic, Casa di Cura Villa Montallegro, Genoa, Italy.

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• Localización: Allergologia et immunopathologia: International journal for clinical and investigate allergology and clinical immunology, ISSN-e 1578-1267, ISSN 0301-0546, Vol. 49, Nº. 2, 2021, págs. 155-169
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The current systematic review presented and discussed the most recent studies on acute cough in pediatric age. After that, the Italian Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology elaborated a comprehensive algorithm to guide the primary care approach to pediatric patients, such as infants, children, and adolescents, with acute cough. An acute cough is usually consequent to upper respiratory tract infections and is self-resolving within a few weeks. However, an acute cough may be bothersome, and therefore remedies are requested, mainly by the parents. An acute cough may significantly affect the quality of life of patients and their family.

    Several algorithms for the management of acute cough have been adopted and validated in clinical practice; however, unlike the latter, we developed an algorithm focused on pediatric age, and, also, in accordance to the Italian National Health System, which regularly follows the child from birth to all lifelong. Based on our findings, infants from 6 months, children, and adolescents with acute cough without cough pointers can be safely managed using well-known medications, preferably non-sedative agents, such as levodropropizine and/or natural compounds, including honey, glycerol, and herb-derived components.