Clinical clues to alternative diagnoses in wheezy children
Clinical clues to alternative diagnoses in wheezy children (features not commonly found in children with asthma)
Perinatal and family history | Possible diagnosis |
Symptoms present from birth or perinatal lung problem | Cystic fibrosis; chronic lung disease of prematurity; ciliary dyskinesia; developmental anomaly |
Family history of unusual chest disease | Cystic fibrosis; neuromuscular disorder |
Severe upper respiratory tract disease | Defect of host defence; ciliary dyskinesia |
Symptoms and signs | |
Persistent moist cough | Cystic fibrosis; bronchiectasis; protracted bronchitis; recurrent aspiration; host defence disorder; ciliary dyskinesia |
Excessive vomiting | Gastro-oesophageal refl ux (+/- aspiration) |
Dysphagia | Swallowing problems (+/- aspiration) |
Breathlessness with light-headedness and peripheral tingling | Hyperventilation/panic attacks |
Inspiratory stridor | Tracheal or laryngeal disorder |
Abnormal voice or cry | Laryngeal problem |
Focal signs in chest | Developmental anomaly; post-infective syndrome; bronchiectasis; tuberculosis |
Finger clubbing | Cystic fibrosis; bronchiectasis |
Failure to thrive | Cystic fibrosis; host defence disorder; gastro-oesophageal reflux |
Investigations | |
Focal or persistent radiological changes | Developmental anomaly; cystic fibrosis; post-infective disorder; recurrent aspiration; inhaled foreign body; bronchiectasis; tuberculosis |
Reference:
- (1) BTS/SIGN (May 2008). British Guideline on the Management of Asthma.
Create an account to add page annotations
Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page