Cochrane · systematic review · CD007094
Honey for acute cough in children
Oduwole, O, Udoh, EE, Oyo‐Ita, A, et al. · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2018 · Cochrane Library
SoF tableOnly the outcomes this review put in its Summary of Findings table are listed (the Cochrane Handbook caps them at about seven per comparison). Its other analyses are not shown here.
Questions
59
current version
GRADE rated
46
No studies
7
Included studies
NR
No studies 7 · 11.9%Ungraded 6 · 10.2%Very low 0 · 0%Low 19 · 32.2%Moderate 27 · 45.8%High 0 · 0%
Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.
Questions and results
Current version onlyHoney compared to dextromethorphan for acute cough in children
Population: acute cough in children
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Duration of cough Honey vs dextromethorphan | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Frequency of cough1 Honey vs dextromethorphan | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 149 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, inconsistency |
Severity of cough1 Honey vs dextromethorphan | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 149 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, inconsistency |
Bothersome cough1 Honey vs dextromethorphan | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 69 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Cough impact on children's sleep1 Honey vs dextromethorphan | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 149 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, inconsistency |
Cough impact on parents' sleep1 Honey vs dextromethorphan | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 149 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, inconsistency |
Adverse events Honey vs dextromethorphan | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Nervousness, insomnia, hyperactivity Honey vs dextromethorphan | RR 2.94 [0.74, 11.71] | 2 studies · 149 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision, inconsistency |
Stomachache, nausea, and vomiting Honey vs dextromethorphan | RR 4.86 [0.24, 97.69] | 1 study · 69 participants | Low Downgraded: imprecision |
Drowsiness Honey vs dextromethorphan | RR 2.92 [0.12, 69.2] | 1 study · 69 participants | Low Downgraded: imprecision |
Honey compared to diphenhydramine for acute cough in children
Population: acute cough in children
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Cough duration Honey vs diphenhydramine | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Frequency of cough1 Honey vs diphenhydramine | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 80 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Severity of cough1 Honey vs diphenhydramine | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 80 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Cough impact on children's sleep1 Honey vs diphenhydramine | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 80 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Cough impact on parents' sleep1 Honey vs diphenhydramine | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 80 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Adverse event: Somnolence Honey vs diphenhydramine | RR 0.14 [0.01, 2.68] | 1 study · 80 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Honey compared to no treatment for acute cough in children
Population: acute cough in children
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Cough duration Honey vs no treatment | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Frequency of cough1 Honey vs no treatment | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 154 participants | Moderate Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Severity of cough1 Honey vs no treatment | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 154 participants | Moderate Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Bothersome cough1 Honey vs no treatment | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 74 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Cough impact on children's sleep1 Honey vs no treatment | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 154 participants | Moderate Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Cough impact on parents' sleep1 Honey vs no treatment | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 154 participants | Moderate Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Adverse events Honey vs no treatment | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Nervousness, insomnia, hyperactivity Honey vs no treatment | RR 9.4 [1.16, 76.2] | 2 studies · 154 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Stomachache, nausea, and vomiting Honey vs no treatment | RR 5.9 [0.27, 127.14] | 1 study · 74 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Drowsiness Honey vs no treatment | RR 3.43 [0.14, 87.09] | 1 study · 74 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Honey compared to placebo for acute cough in children
Population: acute cough in children
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 Honey vs placebo | no estimate extracted | 1 participants | Ungraded |
Frequency of cough1 Honey vs placebo | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 402 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Severity of cough1 Honey vs placebo | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 402 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Bothersome cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs placebo | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 402 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Cough impact on children's sleep1 Honey vs placebo | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 402 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Cough impact on parents' sleep1 Honey vs placebo | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 402 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Day 3 Honey vs placebo | no estimate extracted | 3 participants | Ungraded |
Bothersome cough1 Honey vs placebo | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 102 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Cough impact on parents' sleep3 Honey vs placebo | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 102 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Day 5 Honey vs placebo | no estimate extracted | 5 participants | Ungraded |
Cough duration Honey vs placebo | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 102 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Cough impact on parents' sleep Honey vs placebo | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 102 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Adverse events Honey vs placebo | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Stomachache, nausea, and vomiting Honey vs placebo | RR 1.91 [1.12, 3.24] | 2 studies · 402 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Diarrhoea Honey vs placebo | RR 0.92 [0.33, 2.55] | 1 study · 102 participants | Low Downgraded: imprecision |
Tachycardia Honey vs placebo | RR 1.58 [0.15, 16.86] | 1 study · 102 participants | Low Downgraded: imprecision |
Honey compared to salbutamol for acute cough in children
Population: acute cough in children
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 Honey vs salbutamol | no estimate extracted | 1 participants | Ungraded |
Frequency of cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs salbutamol | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 100 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Severity of cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs salbutamol | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 100 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Bothersome cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs salbutamol | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 100 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Cough impact on children's sleep1 Honey vs salbutamol | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 100 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Cough impact on parents' sleep1 Honey vs salbutamol | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 100 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Day 3 Honey vs salbutamol | no estimate extracted | 3 participants | Ungraded |
Frequency of cough1 Honey vs salbutamol | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 100 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Severity of cough1 Honey vs salbutamol | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 100 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Bothersome cough1 Honey vs salbutamol | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 100 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Day 5 Honey vs salbutamol | no estimate extracted | 5 participants | Ungraded |
Cough durationassessed (days) Honey vs salbutamol | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 100 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Adverse events Honey vs salbutamol | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Stomachache, nausea, and vomiting Honey vs salbutamol | RR 1.74 [1.04, 2.92] | 1 study · 100 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Rash Honey vs salbutamol | RR 0.19 [0.02, 1.63] | 1 study · 100 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Tachycardia Honey vs salbutamol | RR 1.51 [0.14, 16.1] | 1 study · 100 participants | Low Downgraded: imprecision |
Diarrhoea Honey vs salbutamol | RR 0.59 [0.24, 1.45] | 1 study · 100 participants | Moderate Downgraded: imprecision |
Honey versus dextromethorphan for acute cough in children
Population: children with acute cough
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Cough frequency (mean improvement in symptom score) Honey vs dextromethorphan | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 137 participants | Moderate Downgraded: risk of bias |
Cough severity (mean improvement in symptom score) Honey vs dextromethorphan | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 137 participants | Moderate Downgraded: risk of bias |
Child's sleep (mean improvement score) Honey vs dextromethorphan | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 137 participants | Moderate Downgraded: risk of bias |
Parents' sleep (mean improvement score) Honey vs dextromethorphan | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 137 participants | Moderate Downgraded: risk of bias |
Improvement in quality of life: combined effect (mean improvement in symptom score) Honey vs dextromethorphan | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 68 participants | High |
Honey compared to diphenhydramine for acute cough in children
Population: children with acute cough
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Frequency of cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs diphenhydramine | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 80 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Severity of cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs diphenhydramine | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 80 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Children's sleep (cough impact on children's sleep score) Honey vs diphenhydramine | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 80 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Parents' sleep (cough impact on parents' sleep score) Honey vs diphenhydramine | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 80 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Honey compared to 'no treatment' for acute cough in children
Population: children with acute cough
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Frequency of cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs 'no treatment' | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 154 participants | Moderate Downgraded: risk of bias |
Severity of cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs 'no treatment' | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 154 participants | Moderate |
Bothersome cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs 'no treatment' | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 74 participants | Moderate |
Childrens' sleep (cough impact on children's sleep score) Honey vs 'no treatment' | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 154 participants | Moderate |
Parents' sleep (cough impact on parents' sleep score) Honey vs 'no treatment' | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 154 participants | Moderate |
Honey compared to placebo for acute cough in children
Population: children with acute cough
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Frequency of cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs placebo | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 300 participants | High |
Severity of cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs placebo | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 300 participants | High |
Bothersome cough 7‐point Likert scale. Scale from: 0 to 6 Honey vs placebo | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 300 participants | High |
Child's sleep (cough impact on child's sleep 7‐point Likert scale. Scale from: 0 to 6 Honey vs placebo | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 300 participants | High |
Parents' sleep (cough impact on parents' sleep score) Honey vs placebo | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 300 participants | High |
Adverse events
Population: children with acute cough
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Nervousness, insomnia, hyperactivity (honey versus dextromethorphan) Fixed‐effect Mantel‐Haenszel (M‐H) risk ratio | RR 2.94 [0.74, 11.71] | 2 studies · 149 participants | Moderate Downgraded: risk of bias |
Stomach ache, nausea and vomiting (honey versus dextromethorphan) Fixed‐effect Mantel‐Haenszel (M‐H) risk ratio | RR 4.86 [0.24, 97.69] | 2 studies · 149 participants | Moderate |
Drowsiness (honey versus dextromethorphan) Fixed‐effect Mantel‐Haenszel (M‐H) risk ratio | RR 2.92 [0.12, 69.2] | 2 studies · 149 participants | Moderate |
Somnolence (honey versus diphenhydramine) Fixed‐effect Mantel‐Haenszel (M‐H) risk ratio | RR 0.14 [0.01, 2.68] | 1 study · 80 participants | Moderate Downgraded: risk of bias |
Stomach ache, nausea and vomiting (honey versus placebo) Fixed effect Mantel‐Haenszel (M‐H) risk ratio | RR 1.34 [0.15, 12.17] | 1 study · 300 participants | High |
Honey compared to dextromethorphan for acute cough in children
Population: children with acute cough
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Frequency of cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs dextromethorphan | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 149 participants | Moderate Downgraded: risk of bias |
Severity of cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs dextromethorphan | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 149 participants | Moderate Downgraded: risk of bias |
Bothersome cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs dextromethorphan | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 69 participants | Moderate |
Childrens' sleep (cough impact on childrens' sleep score) Honey vs dextromethorphan | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 149 participants | Moderate |
Parents' sleep (cough impact on parent's sleep score) Honey vs dextromethorphan | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 149 participants | Moderate |
Honey compared to diphenhydramine for acute cough in children
Population: children with acute cough
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Frequency of cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs diphenhydramine | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 80 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Severity of cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs diphenhydramine | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 80 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Childrens' sleep (cough impact on childrens' sleep score) Honey vs diphenhydramine | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 80 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Parents' sleep (cough impact on parent's sleep score) Honey vs diphenhydramine | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 80 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Honey compared to 'no treatment' for acute cough in children
Population: children with acute cough
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Frequency of cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs 'no treatment' | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 154 participants | Moderate Downgraded: risk of bias |
Severity of cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs 'no treatment' | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 154 participants | Moderate |
Bothersome cough (mean improvement score) Honey vs 'no treatment' | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 74 participants | Moderate |
Childrens' sleep (cough impact on childrens' sleep score) Honey vs 'no treatment' | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 154 participants | Moderate |
Parents' sleep (cough impact on parents' sleep score) Honey vs 'no treatment' | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 154 participants | Moderate |
Adverse events
Population: children with acute cough
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Nervouseness, insomnia, hyperactivity (honey versus dextromethorphan) Fixed‐effect, Mantel‐Haenszel (M‐H), RR | RR 2.94 [0.74, 11.71] | 2 studies · 149 participants | Moderate Downgraded: risk of bias |
Stomach ache, nausea and vomiting (honey versus dextromethorphan) Fixed‐effect, Mantel‐Haenszel (M‐H), RR | RR 4.86 [0.24, 97.69] | 2 studies · 149 participants | Moderate |
Drowsiness (honey versus dextromethorphan) Fixed‐effect, Mantel‐Haenszel (M‐H), RR | RR 2.92 [0.12, 69.2] | 2 studies · 149 participants | Moderate |
Somnolence (honey versus diphenhydramine) fixed‐effect, Mantel‐Haenszel (M‐H), RR | RR 0.14 [0.01, 2.68] | 1 study · 80 participants | Moderate Downgraded: risk of bias |