What is a common cause of chronic cough in children?

Chronic cough in children often has several underlying causes, but asthma is a particularly common one. Asthma can lead to inflammation and constriction of the airways, resulting in persistent coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. This condition is often triggered by allergens, respiratory infections, exercise, or environmental irritants.

In children diagnosed with asthma, the cough may be worse at night or early in the morning and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest tightness. The chronic nature of asthma-related cough differentiates it from other conditions where the cough might be more acute or associated with identifiable infections or single events.

Allergies, bronchitis, and pneumonia can also cause coughing but are less frequently the underlying reasons for a persistent cough. Allergies can lead to postnasal drip, which may cause a cough, but this might not be classified as chronic in all cases. Bronchitis can result in a lingering cough, especially in younger children, but it is typically self-limiting and often relates more to acute viral infections. Pneumonia usually presents with more severe symptoms and is generally acute rather than chronic. Thus, asthma stands out as a leading cause of a chronic cough in children, making it a