SynthesisThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2009
Honey and lozenges for children with non-specific cough.
Synthesis in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2009. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 23 citations in OpenAlex.
- Honey for acute cough in children.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2018Pooled it
- [Consensus statement on the evaluation and therapy of chronic cough in children].Wiener klinische Wochenschrift · 2014Guideline
- Potentials of Antitussive Traditional Persian Functional Foods for COVID-19 TherapyFrontiers in pharmacology · 2021Review
- Prolonged Cough in Pediatric Population First Line Care, Belgian Guidelines.The open respiratory medicine journal · 2017Article
- Analysis of the Literature on Chronic Cough in Children.The open respiratory medicine journal · 2017Review
- Is honey a well-evidenced alternative to over-the-counter cough medicines?Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine · 2010Article
- What do Cochrane systematic reviews say about new practices on integrative medicine?Sao Paulo medical journal = Revista paulista de medicinaReview
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
2 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundChronic non-specific cough is a chronic, dry cough of in the absence of identifiable respiratory disease or known aetiology. Although it is usually not reflective of an underlying severe illness, it does cause significant morbidity, and as such relief from it is often sought. The use of honey and lozenges to soothe upper respiratory tract irritation is common, inexpensive, and potentially more effective in treating the symptoms than pharmacological interventions.
objectivesTo evaluate the efficacy of honey and/or lozenges in the management of children with chronic non-specific cough. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Airways Group searched the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, OLDMEDLINE, and EMBASE databases in October 2008. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised controlled trials comparing honey or lozenges with a placebo in treating children with chronic non-specific cough. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The results of the searches were assessed according to the pre-determined criteria. None of the trials identified by the searches were eligible for inclusion, leaving no data available for analysis in this review. MAIN
resultsThe search did not provide any applicable randomised controlled trials that investigated the efficacy of honey and lozenges in treating children with non-specific chronic cough. Data from acute studies suggest a potential role for honey in relieving cough, but whether this is applicable to chronic cough is unknown. AUTHORS'
conclusionsClinically, this review was unable to provide any justifiable recommendation for or against honey and/or lozenges due to the lack of evidence. The absence of applicable studies highlights the need for further research into the area of treating children with chronic non-specific coughs with honey and/or lozenges. These treatments are not recommended when managing very young children (as lozenges are a potential choking hazard, and honey may cause infant botulism in children under 1 year of age).
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.