Psychogenic cough in a child: case report <b>[Abstract in English]</b>

Abstract

Aims: To describe a child with psychogenic cough that was diagnosed as asthma. Case description: The patient was a female child, eight years old, with a recent diagnosis of persistent asthma. Laboratory evaluation and pulmonary function tests were normal. Psychogenic cough was diagnosed based on symptoms that did not occur during sleeping and by exclusion of others causes of cough. The treatment with anti-depressive and psychiatric support has improved the condition in few weeks. Conclusions: In spite of its low frequency, we must consider psychogenic cough in the differential diagnosis of persistent cough in children. It is necessary to evaluate several alternative disorders, considering that psychogenic cough is an exclusion diagnosis. Further studies are required for a better understanding and treatment of this condition. KEYWORDS: COUGH/diagnosis; COUGH/psychology; ASTHMA/diagnosis; CHRONIC DISEASE; CHILD; DIAGNOSIS, DIFFERENTIAL; CASE REPORTS [PUBLICATION TYPE].