15 month granddaughter coughs excessively at night has runny nose

[Mayan]

At 9 months granddaughter had viral pneumonia and she lasted a month on oxygen. Since then she has constant runny nose and coughs excessively at night waking her up and at times throwing up (usually goes back to sleep quickly). She is 3% under weight, height is normal. Currently being treated with nebulizer (albuteroal) and gasterioal reflex meds. Have tried allergy meds also, none to little changes in the coughing and runny nose. Next step is a steroid med I don't want to use (to many potential side effects). She was tested for Cystic fiborsis with negative results. Could she have Sinus problems?

Info: She doesn't run fevers, her behavior during the day is normal with little coughing, but does have the runny nose.  Night time is the worst. We have a cat in the house and we try to keep the house clean. We have a new swamp cooler, which ran during summer months and a central gas heat system.  We have used humidifier's in her room also. She doesn't sneeze. She doesn't cry (as if in pain) She does have some little bumps on her skin around knees and elbows. Her mom ate well and took care of herself during pregnancy and still does. There is no smoking in the home or use of illicit drugs. Granddaughters personality and disposition is happy, well behaved and appears to be at her intelligence level.  She wakes up in the morning happy and doesn't appear to be tired or sleep deprived. Her mom is alittle sleep deprived though. Baby was breast fed. Two months ago stopped giving her formula and gave her rice milk and soy. Soy gives her diarrea. We give her Pediasure and rice milk

[ocean32]

A related discussion, allergies? was started.

[benm]

Was this issue ever resolved.  I have a 2 year old son experiencing the exact same symptoms.  Thank you

[National Jewish]

It is possible that a chronic sinus infection is the cause of the symptoms you have described.  This is a relatively easy diagnosis to make with a CT of the sinuses.  It is also possible that the cat may be playing a role if she is allergic.  Cat dander is very allergenic.  However, if she is not allergic, this probably would not be related.  I would suggest working with a board certified pediatric allergist to sort out the problem and develop a program that controls or eliminates the symptoms.  It is hard to know from your message whether the cough is coming from the upper or lower airways.  This has to be determined to have effective therapy.

[starion]

It is possible that your granddaughter may be allergic to dust mites (which is VERY common).  The doctor could do a simple blood test that could help measure whether it's likely that she has allergies & even specifically whether she is likely allergic to cat dander, or you could just go ahead and try to take dust mite reduction measure & see if it helps.

http://nationaljewish.org/medfacts/mites.html has GOOD info about how you can start.  Another common allergen is cat dander, which can persist in spite of the BEST housekeeping.  Some info is at http://nationaljewish.org/medfacts/animals.html

Please have your daughter contact the pediatrician and tell him/her about these troubling symptoms and see what s/he recommends.

Best of luck to all of you.
Starion