Researchers have established that antibiotic therapy is effective in treating otherwise healthy young children with unexplained, prolonged wet cough of at least three weeks. The conclusion in an outcome of a meta-analytical study.
The meta-analysis
A group of researchers conducted a meta-analysis in 2018 using three randomized controlled trials to assess the efficacy of antibiotics in treating children with prolonged wet cough.
- Most children were 6 years old or younger.
- Wet cough lasted between 3 and 15 weeks.
- Amoxicillin/clavulanate 20 to 22.5 mg amoxicillin/kg twice daily were used for 7 to 14 days in two trials; erythromycin 50 mg/kg twice daily was used for 7 days in one trial.
- Analysis of data revealed results in favor of antibiotics as follows:
Other supporting results
Another group of researchers, in 2012, compared the efficacy of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid with placebo in 50 children with prolonged wet cough.
Children were randomized to receive amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 22.5 mg/kg twice daily for 14 days or placebo.
The primary outcome was cough resolution, defined as 75% improvement in the baseline cough score or cessation of coughing for at least three days, assessed at 14 days.
The study results are as follows:
Antibiotics could be effective in achieving cough resolution and preventing the progression of illness.
Reference: Wipperman J, Ofei-Dodoo S, Nilsen K, et al. Are antibiotics effective in treating children with chronic productive cough? Evidence-Based Practice: 2022;25(4):32–33