Change in health outcomes for First Nations children with chronic wet cough: rationale and study protocol for a multi-centre implementation science study

In children, chronic wet cough may be a sign of underlying lung disease, including protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) and bronchiectasis. Chronic (> 4 weeks in duration) wet cough (without indicators pointing to alternative causes) that responds to antibiotic treatment is diagnostic of PBB. Timely recognition and management of PBB can prevent disease progression to irreversible bronchiectasis with lifelong consequences. However, detection and management require timely health-seeking by carers and effective management by clinicians.

Citation:
Laird PJ, Walker R, McCallum G, Toombs M, …….. Cooper M, Norman R, Patel B, Lau G, Chang AB, Schultz A. Change in health outcomes for First Nations children with chronic wet cough: rationale and study protocol for a multi-centre implementation science study. BMC Pulm Med. 2022;22(1)

Keywords:
Chronic wet cough; First Nations children; Knowledge Translation; Protracted bacterial bronchitis.

Abstract:
In children, chronic wet cough may be a sign of underlying lung disease, including protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) and bronchiectasis. Chronic (> 4 weeks in duration) wet cough (without indicators pointing to alternative causes) that responds to antibiotic treatment is diagnostic of PBB. Timely recognition and management of PBB can prevent disease progression to irreversible bronchiectasis with lifelong consequences. However, detection and management require timely health-seeking by carers and effective management by clinicians.