Persistent cough a forme-fruste of asthma.

Fifteen children presented with persistent cough as the sole complaint. Physical examination was entirely within normal limits. Personal and family histories of atopy and blood eosinophilia suggested an allergic diathesis. Chest radiographs showed hyperinflation in many and spirometry showed bronchospasm in all the children studied. The added observation that theophylline and salbutamol were effective suggests that the condition is a manifestation of asthma.