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. 2014 May;55(5):236-41.
doi: 10.11622/smedj.2014064.

Recurrent wheeze and cough in young children: is it asthma?

Mark Chung Wai Ng  1 , Choon How How
Affiliations

Recurrent wheeze and cough in young children: is it asthma?

Mark Chung Wai Ng et al. Singapore Med J. 2014 May.

Abstract

A clinical diagnosis of asthma is often considered when a child presents with recurrent cough, wheeze and breathlessness. However, there are many other causes of wheeze in a young child. These range from recurrent viral infections to chronic suppurative lung disease, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and rare structural abnormalities. Arriving at a diagnosis includes taking into consideration the symptomatology, triggers, atopic features, family history, absence of red flags and therapeutic trial, where indicated.

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