Inability to predict outcome of acute respiratory distress syndrome in children when using high frequency oscillation.
OBJECTIVE
To (a) describe the experience with high-frequency oscillation (HFO) in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) unresponsive to conventional ventilation; (b) compare observed survival to that predicted by pediatric mortality scores and (c) determine if oxygenation index changes during HFO can predict survival.


METHODS
Retrospective, observational study.


METHODS
A university hospital pediatric intensive care unit.


METHODS
Nineteen children with ARDS (PaO2/FIO2<200) unresponsive to conventional ventilation treated with HFO from January 1995 to September 1996.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
The following were recorded: demographic, arterial blood gas and ventilator variables at the time points 0, 6, 12 and 24 h after the start of HFO; PRISM in the first 24 h of admission and pediatric respiratory failure and multiple organ system failure scores on the day of starting HFO. The mortality rate was 26% (5/19). The survival was better than predicted by the Pediatric Respiratory Failure score (p<0.01). None of the scores differentiated survivors from non-survivors (p>0.25). There was no significant change in oxygenation index over the first 24 h (p>0.18). Of patients with an initial oxygenation index higher than 20 who did not have at least a 20% reduction in oxygenation index by the time 6 h, 6/9 (67%) survived (sensitivity 75%, specificity 57%).


CONCLUSIONS
Survival in pediatric ARDS patients treated with HFO could not be predicted using several outcome scores or the oxygenation index (in the first 24 h). Survival was significantly better than predicted by the Pediatric Respiratory Failure score. A prospective randomized controlled trial of HFO in ARDS is warranted.
Anton
Natalie
N
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2B7, Canada.
Joffe
Kenneth M
KM
Joffe
Ari R
AR
D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006612:High-Frequency Ventilation; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies