Asma tosse variante em pediatria

Abstract

Cough-variant asthma (CVA) is an uncommon asthma condition, which is characterized only by the cough. Its prevalence in pediatrics patients is around 5% to 7% among all causes of chronic cough. The frequency in which CVA occurs depends on the context that the patient is evaluated, being less frequent in pediatrics clinics with more healthy patients. In these clinics the cough will rarely be related to asthma. Therefore, in specialized clinics such as Pulmology pediatrics ones the CVA is more prevalent. The main symptom of this condition is non productive cough, especially in the early morning and at night, induced by physical exercises, cold weather, low humidity, and upper respiratory tract infections. Both chest radiography and the pulmonary function are normal in these patients, but a positive response to inhaled corticoid followed by a worsening of the symptoms after its interruption confirms the diag nosis. Medication should be prescribed according to Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA)’s recommendations as in classic asthma. The goal of this article is to highlight the importance of the cough-variant asthma, when to suspect it and how to manage patients.