Hi,

Thanks for writing to health care magic.

Cough in a child could be because of various causes.

One reason could be a infection. It could be a bacterial infection where in treatment with antibiotics should suffice. Here associated fever will be present.

Is your baby having fever? This will give me a clue to wards infection as a cause of cough.

A chronic cough could be because of asthma. Here there will be abnormal sound while breathing. The child has other allergies like skin allergy, eye allergy, allergic rhinitis etc. There may be family history of asthma or other allergies.

So does you child have any of the above?
Is there abnormal wheezing while breathing?
Any association with other allergies or seasonal cough?
Any family history of asthma?

Rarely aspiration could be a cause of chronic cough.

Is there any history of aspiration recently?

Other cause of cough is tuberculosis.

Is there any history of contact with tuberculosis?
Is there any weight loss?
Is there fever on and off?

Cardiac problems could be a cause of cough.
Is there any such history? Was she diagnosed of any heart problem?

A fast heart beat could be because of various reasons. It should be noted that children will have faster heart rate than adults.
What is the heart rate? Can you count it and mention for me (one minute)

Anemia could be a cause of fast heart beat.
Does she look pale? What is her hemoglobin level?

Some times fever could be responsible for fast heart rate. Does she have any fever?

Some times the medications could be responsible for a fast heart rate. Is your daughter on a syrup that contains terbutaline or salbutamol (nebulisation)

Please reply in detail so that we can help you better.
Waiting for your reply.
Take care.

Dr Y V Siva Sankara Murty,
Associate Professor,
Pediatrics.

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