Differential diagnosis
- Infection (virus, bacteria, pertussis, TB)
- Reactive airway disease (asthma)
- Reflux disease
- Post nasal drip, rhinitis/sinusitis
- Psychogenic (habit)
- Foreign body
- Congenital abnormality
- Neoplasm
- Aspiration, CF (respiratory findings, pancreatic insufficiency)
- Metabolic
History
- Onset, frequency, timing (at night), quality (barking)
- Productive, hemoptysis
- Precipitating factors, triggers (exercise, pets, smoking, mealtime)
- Dysphagia
- Sick contacts
- Tics
- Past medical surgery, surgeries, medications, allergies
* Psychogenic cough – does not occur when distracted, does not occur during sleep, child may have other habits (eyes, shoulder shrugs, throat clearing)