Asthma expert and registered nurse Kathleen MacNaughton writes on about.com:

‘People often think of wheezing and shortness of breath when they think of asthma symptoms. And those are 2 of the most common asthma symptoms. However, a chronic cough is sometimes the primary sign that something is wrong, especially in children.’

‘Asthma in children can be hard to diagnose, since kids can't always tell us how they are feeling. If you notice your child coughing a lot, you may want to call your doctor to get him or her checked out. Asthma is very common in children and much of the time, it doesn't get diagnosed as soon as it should have been.’

‘Early treatment and learning how to manage your child's lifestyle to avoid asthma triggers can make a tremendous difference in his or her health.’

Common asthma triggers include dust, pet dander, mold, and pollen.

If your child has been diagnosed with asthma, you may be interested in reading Disarming Asthma – A Mother's Perspective.