Purpose of review: Acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation continues to contribute to mortality and affect long-term functional outcomes in patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU). Studies in adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) far outnumber those conducted in the pediatric age group, and pediatric intensivists are left with the task of carefully selecting and critically appraising relevant adult data and extrapolating results to their domain of practice.
Recent findings: The recent ARDSNet study reinforces the use of low tidal volumes. Administration of surfactant is safe, but once again its beneficial effect was not sustained in a randomized trial. Surfactant proteins A and D have been shown to be of prognostic value in cases of acute lung injury. The effect of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) in patients with ARDS can be enhanced by aggressive lung recruitment strategies such as can be achieved using high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV). A recent adult trial shows good response rates but no significant long-term outcome benefit from prone positioning in patients with ARDS. Routine scheduled assessments of readiness for weaning and extubation may be more important than specific weaning modes and weaning criteria for children. A recent meta-analysis suggests that prophylactic dexamethasone use may decrease postextubation stridor and possibly reduce the need for reintubation in selected patients. Outcome data in children requiring mechanical support is encouraging, especially for high-risk groups such as bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients, and may guide ethically challenging decision-making for these patients.
Summary: Mechanical ventilation strategies aiming for optimal alveolar recruitment with the judicious use of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and low tidal volumes will remain the mainstay for managing respiratory failure in children. Dexamethasone may prevent postextubation stridor. Prone positioning, surfactant therapy, HFOV, and inhaled NO are used sporadically and need to be evaluated for their effect on mortality and duration of ventilation.