Anticholinergics for prolonged non specific cough in children

Chang AB, McKean MC, Morris PS

Published Online:

May 12, 2010

Children with non-specific cough, (non-productive cough in the absence of identifiable chest disease) are commonly treated with a variety of medications for control of cough symptoms. This review examined the effect of inhaled anti-cholinergic drugs in children with non-specific cough. Currently there is no evidence to support the use of inhaled anti-cholinergics as no randomised-controlled trials of inhaled anti-cholinergic medications in the management of prolonged non-specific cough in children were found.

Abstract (click to read)

Background:

Non-specific cough is defined as non-productive cough in the absence of identifiable respiratory disease or known aetiology. It is commonly seen in paediatric practice. These children are treated with a variety of therapies including inhaled anti-cholinergic medications.

Objectives:

To determine the efficacy of inhaled anti-cholinergic medications in the management of prolonged non-specific cough in children.

Search strategy:

The Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched. Relevant pharmaceutical companies were contacted. The latest searches were carried out in April 2010.

Selection criteria:

All randomised controlled trials comparing inhaled anti-cholinergic medication with a placebo medication.

Data collection and analysis:

Results of searches were reviewed against pre-determined criteria for inclusion. No eligible trials were identified and thus no data were available for analysis. A single small trial in adults has been reported.

Main results:

No randomised-controlled trials that examined the efficacy of inhaled anti-cholinergic medications in the management of prolonged non-specific cough in children were found. An additional search in April 2010 did not identify any further studies.

Authors' conclusions:

There is currently no evidence to support the use of inhaled anti-cholinergics for symptomatic control of non-specific cough in children. Further research examining the effects of this intervention is needed.

This record should be cited as:

Chang AB, McKean MC, Morris PS. Anticholinergics for prolonged non-specific cough in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD004358. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004358.pub2

Assessed as up to date:

April 14, 2010

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Primary Review Group:

Airways Group

Health topics:

Lungs & airways > Chronic cough

Cochrane Summaries^beta

Independent high-quality evidence for health care decision making

Anticholinergics for prolonged non specific cough in children

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