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Paediatric Cough: Nutritional Considerations and Management

 |  Dr. Shekhar Biswas  |  165 Views
Recent decades have seen an increase in respiratory diseases, prompting research into their risk factors. Poor diets lacking antioxidants, minerals, or balanced essential fatty acids are implicated.1 Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common in children aged one to six years. Dietary recommendations, including green vegetables, red meat, and whole dairy products for children with URTIs, reduce monthly symptomatic days and lower antibiotic use.2 Vitamin A supplementation showed mixed results: effective for reducing acute lower respiratory infections in underweight children but inconclusive for those adequately nourished. Low-dose vitamin A appears safe and beneficial, akin to high-dose forms.3 Many cough treatments for children, both prescribed and over-the-counter, lack efficacy and carry potential risks. Recent studies indicate that a single dose of honey before bedtime can effectively reduce cough symptoms and alleviate discomfort for both children and their parents.4