Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in children.

ABSTRACT

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not a well defined entity in children. A child presenting with chronic cough and wheezing should be investigated for asthma, recurrent aspiration airway compressions, chronic infection, cystic fibrosis and immune deficiency. If a specific cause is not identified; search should be made for environmental factors such as passive smoking, air pollution and irritants. The therapeutic option for patients with chronic productive cough without specific etiology include control of environmental factors, bronchodilators and chest physiotherapy.