Update on pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome
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Updated: Sep 26, 2026

Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Published on: April 7, 2021
1Division of Pediatric Pharmacology and Critical Care, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA. mxa35@po.cwru.edu.
Insights
Pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe lung condition in children requiring intensive care. This review covers ARDS definitions, treatments, and prognosis for better clinical management.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) presents a significant clinical challenge in intensive care settings.
- ARDS is characterized by severe hypoxemia and respiratory failure, stemming from direct lung injury or systemic inflammation.
- Effective management necessitates a multidisciplinary intensive care team approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolving definition of pediatric ARDS.
- To discuss current and emerging intensive care treatment modalities for pediatric ARDS.
- To examine the prognosis and potential future interventions for pediatric ARDS.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of pediatric ARDS definitions and treatment strategies.
- Analysis of intensive care unit (ICU) management protocols.
- Examination of prognostic factors and outcomes in pediatric ARDS patients.
Main Results:
- The definition of ARDS has evolved, impacting diagnosis and research.
- Lung-protective mechanical ventilation strategies and adjunct therapies are key treatment components.
- Prognosis varies, with ongoing research into novel therapeutic targets.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric ARDS requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary ICU approach.
- Lung-protective ventilation and adjunct therapies are crucial for managing pediatric ARDS.
- Further research is needed to improve outcomes for this critical pediatric illness.
Abstract:
Pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains an important challenge for the intensive care clinician. ARDS, which can result from either direct lung injury or from a "downstream" inflammatory process, is manifested by profound hypoxemia and respiratory failure. The care of pediatric ARDS is based on a meticulous, multidisciplinary, intensive care team approach. This review discusses the changing definition of ARDS and available intensive care treatment modalities, including newer lung-protective mechanical ventilation strategies and adjunct therapies. The prognosis of children suffering pediatric ARDS is examined with a look toward areas of potential future intervention in this often deadly disease.
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