Prolonged Wet Cough in Children Could Indicate Bacterial Infection Requiring Treatment, Study Finds

A persistent wet cough lasting beyond four weeks in children may be a sign of bacterial infection that needs prompt medical attention. Dr. Anne Schlegtendal, a senior physician at the Universitätskinderklinik Bochum in Germany, emphasizes that such symptoms should not be ignored. If left untreated, protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) can lead to long-term lung damage. The research team analyzed children who were hospitalized with PBB during early childhood, revealing concerning trends in lung health years later.

The study involved re-examining 63 children, aged five to fourteen, with a history of PBB. Results indicated that both untreated children and those who received antibiotics still faced risks of ongoing pulmonary issues. Many exhibited compromised lung function, and some experienced persistent coughs. Currently, there is a lack of standardized guidelines in Germany for diagnosing and managing PBB, which complicates early intervention.

To address this gap, the researchers are developing a digital decision support system to identify children at risk of long-term consequences from chronic coughs. This system aims to alert clinicians early, potentially reducing irreversible lung damage. The team advocates increased awareness and improved follow-up procedures to ensure timely treatment, ultimately promoting better respiratory health outcomes in children.

For more detailed information, see the study published in Pediatric Pulmonology (April 2025). Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-prolonged-children-bacterial-infection-requiring.html