Captopril-induced Cough: Does it Matter in Children? A Retrospective Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION: ACE inhibitors are commonly prescribed in children. Anecdotally, captopril- induced cough is not thought to occur in children as frequently as in adults. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in 100 paediatric cardiology patients taking regular ACE inhibitors (ACE-I). Telephone interviews and questionnaires were used to ask patients and their families about their experience of ACE-I-related cough symptoms. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients, 15% reported symptoms of captopril-related cough. Only 1% required a change in medication due to their cough. DISCUSSION: Captopril-related cough appears to be less significant in children than in adult populations. The reason for this is unclear, but it may be related to differences in ACE expression between adult and paediatric lungs. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that cough associated with ACE-I use may be more prevalent in children than previously thought; however, it is generally well tolerated and rarely necessitates a change in management.