Methodology of the Second Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
• Pulmonology
• Respiratory Therapy

Background:

• Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (PARDS) presents complex diagnostic and management challenges.
• Existing guidelines require updates based on the latest scientific evidence and clinical consensus.
• The Second Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference (PALICC-2) was convened to address these needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop evidence-based clinical recommendations for the diagnosis and management of PARDS.
• To establish expert-based consensus statements where evidence is lacking.
• To identify critical research priorities for advancing PARDS care.

Main Methods:

• Conducted systematic and scoping reviews of literature from 2012 to 2022.
• Utilized the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system for evidence appraisal.
• Convened a multidisciplinary panel of 52 international experts in pediatric critical care and related fields.
• Employed a methodology modeled after PALICC 2015, including web-based meetings and rigorous review processes.

Main Results:

• Developed comprehensive recommendations and consensus statements covering 11 key areas of PARDS.
• Formulated evidence tables and graded recommendations using the GRADE system.
• Identified specific knowledge gaps and outlined future research directions for PARDS.

Conclusions:

• The PALICC-2 conference successfully generated updated, evidence-based guidelines for PARDS diagnosis and management.
• Consensus statements provide crucial guidance in areas with limited empirical evidence.
• The identified research priorities will guide future investigations to improve outcomes for children with PARDS.