Understanding Pediatric ARDS

Pediatric ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) is characterized as an acute lung-specific organ failure that occurs within seven days of an inciting event, such as pneumonia. The symptoms typically include hypoxemic respiratory failure, which is not due to cardiogenic or hydrostatic pulmonary edema. The condition is often a result of an acute inflammatory response causing protein-rich fluid to flood the alveoli, and understanding the precise cause is crucial for appropriate management. Identifying whether it stems from pneumonia, aspiration, or other causes directs necessary treatments like antibiotics or specialized supportive care.