Effects and Safety of Infusion of Low-Doses of Methylprednisolone in Early ALI and ARDS in Children (PEDALI)
Acute Lung Injury, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Acute Lung Injury focused on measuring ALI, Acute Lung Injury, ARDS, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Inflammatory Response
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Diagnosis of ALI/ARDS within the first 72 hours based on all of the following criteria:
- Respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation - via endotracheal intubation or noninvasive positive pressure ventilation;
- Acute onset of bilateral pulmonary densities on chest radiograph in the context of appropriate predisposing injury or illness with no evidence of left ventricular failure;
- Ratio of partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2:FiO2 ) ≤ 300 (criteria for ALI) or 200 (criteria for ARDS) with FiO2 ≥ 0,5 and PEEP = 5 cmH2O.
- To sign the Informed Consent to participate.
Exclusion Criteria:
- ALI/ARDS with more than 72 hours of diagnosis
- Failure to obtain written informed consent to participate in the study;
- Condition requiring > 0.5mg/Kg/day of prednisone equivalent (i.e., acute asthma or bronchopulmonary dysplasia)
- Patients enrolled in another experimental (interventional) protocol within the past 30 days, which might adversely impact on the results of this study as determined by the investigators;
- Primary or secondary neuromuscular dysfunction
- Patients using aminoglycosides combined with neuromuscular blockers
- Cardiopulmonary arrest within 7 days or anytime during present hospitalization prior to enrollment;
- Irreversible cessation of all brain function;
- Immunosuppression, including HIV+ status, history of bone marrow or solid organ transplantation, current malignancy, neutropenia, receiving cytotoxic therapy for any reason, and acute burn injury;
- Severe chronic liver disease (Child-Pugh Class C score > 10 points).
Sites / Locations
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Placebo Comparator
Methylprednisolone Arm
Sterile Saline Arm
The patients in this arm will receive methylprednisolone, which is available in vials containing 125 mg/2mL after dilution, as it follows: Day 0 Loading dose 1 mg/kg IV bolus mixed in 5 mL NS (30 min) followed by continuous infusion Days 0 to 07 - 1 mg/kg/day mixed in 24cc NS and infused at 1 cc/hr Days 08 to 10 - 0.5 mg/kg/day mixed in 24cc NS and infused at 1 cc/hr Days 11 to 12 - 0.25 mg/kg/day Days 13 to 14 - 0.125 mg/kg/day
Patients randomized to the control arm will receive sterile normal saline in an amount that would equal the total diluted dose of study drug (ie. if initial loading dose equals a total of 24 cc [methylprednisolone + diluting fluid], then the patient will receive 24 cc of sterile normal saline). Tapering doses will be equivalent to that of the study arm, so that investigators will remain blinded to therapy. The unblinded party will be composed of the research ARDS pharmacist. Five days after the patient is able to ingest medications, placebo is administered per os (PO) in one single daily equivalent dose. The placebo will be manipulated by the pharmacist as to resemble identical to the active drug.