Recommendations on the Diagnostics of Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis in Children in Outpatient Practice
The article is devoted to the modern principles of diagnostics of protracted bacterial bronchitis (TBB) in children, which is based on the recommendations of the board of specialists in thoracic surgery (CHEST-2017). The purpose of the publication is to provide organizational basis for improvement of the effectiveness of diagnostics of TBB in children in outpatient practice, according to international standards based on evidence. The main criteria for TBB in children are a wet / productive cough (4 weeks or more), effectiveness of antibiotic therapy, and exclusion of other causes of cough. The authors presented the main key points regarding isolated causes of prolonged wet / productive cough, which the primary care physician should be aware of in situations of diagnostic uncertainty. A diagnostic algorithm for the TBB is proposed. It includes the clinical stage (detailed collection of complaints, clinical and anamnestic data, and exclusion of chronic bronchopulmonary pathology and other conditions that may cause prolonged wet/productive cough), the trial antibiotic therapy stage, and in-depth examination of patients in the hospital. Such approach can be therapeutically successful and bring real benefits to a sick child. The authors highlighted the prospects for studying the TBB in Ukraine.