Inhaled Steroids for the Treatment of Early Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Inhaled Steroids for the Treatment of Early Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (PARDS), a Randomized Pilot Trial

The purpose of this study is to show that inhaled steroids in patient with PARDS can decrease the days on mechanical ventilator measured by ventilator-free days,to improve the oxygenation index (OI) or oxygenation saturation index (OSI) in patients receiving inhaled steroids and to show the relevance and feasibility of a larger study by assessing the hypothesis in a small cohort of patients. Patient will be treated for a maximum of 10 days. Secondary objectives are to reduce the length of stay (LOS) in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and hospital admissions; to show less inflammation in the patients receiving inhaled steroids by measuring inflammatory markers from tracheal aspirates like Interleukin (IL6, IL8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, matrix metalloproteinase8 (MMP8) and matrix metalloproteinase9 (MMP9). Lastly, to show that inhaled steroids can improve residual lung disease evaluated by Pulmonary Function Test (PFTs) and Impulse Oscillometry (IOS).

Enrolled patients will be treated with Pulmicort Respules® (Budesonide inhalation suspension), at a dose of 0.5 mg, nebulized twice daily through the mechanical ventilator. The medication will be administered to the patient by the respiratory therapist with the single-patient-use medication nebulizer attached to the mechanical ventilator circuit. The maximum length of treatment will be 10 days.

Enrolled patients will be treated with normal saline.The medication will be administered to the patient by the respiratory therapist with the single-patient-use medication nebulizer attached to the mechanical ventilator circuit. The maximum length of treatment will be 10 days.

The medication will be administered to the patient by the respiratory therapist with the single-patient-use medication nebulizer attached to the mechanical ventilator circuit.

Oxygenation index (OI) is calculated as ([FiO2 x Mean Airway Pressure] / PaO2). FiO2 stands for inspired fraction of oxygen, and PaO2 stands for pressure/arterial pressure of oxygen. An oxygenation index of 4-8 indicates mild ARDS, an oxygenation index of 8-16 indicates moderate ARDS, and an oxygenation index greater than 16 indicates severe ARDS.

5-7.5 mild ARDS, 7.5-12.3 moderate ARDS. > 12.3 severe ARDS, formula FiO2*Mean airway pressure/Saturation of O2 Oxygen saturation index (OI) is calculated as ([FiO2 x Mean Airway Pressure] / Saturation of oxygen). FiO2 stands for inspired fraction of oxygen. An oxygen saturation index of 5-7.5 indicates mild ARDS, an oxygen saturation index of 7.5-12.3 indicates moderate ARDS, and an oxygen saturation index greater than 12.3 indicates severe ARDS.

Inclusion Criteria: Pediatric patients older than 30 days and up to 18 years of age admitted to the PICU with a diagnosis of PARDS enrolled within 72 hours of diagnosis. Patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. Criteria of PARDS as defined by the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference (PALICC), on June 2015 in Pediatric Critical Care Journal Exclusion Criteria: Patients with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Patients terminally ill with limitation of care or in hospice care. Patients receiving inhaled steroids or systemic steroids as chronic therapy before admission. Patients with high dose systemic steroids for anti-inflammatory purposes. The investigators will not exclude patients receiving hydrocortisone for shock.