Yes, GERD can indeed cause a persistent cough in children. Stomach acid rising into the esophagus can irritate airway nerves, triggering a cough even without congestion or wheezing. The gentlest, non-invasive ways to evaluate this include keeping a detailed food and symptom diary to spot patterns, and discussing a temporary, doctor-supervised trial of a gentle acid-reducing medication, such as famotidine or omeprazole. If the cough improves during the trial, it highly suggests GERD. Simple lifestyle adjustments, like keeping your child upright after meals and avoiding eating right before bed, can also help confirm and manage the issue safely.