Risk Factors of Panico et al for Mortality of a Pediatric Patient with Acute Lung Injury (ALI) or the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Patient selection: pediatric patient <= 15 years with ALI or ARDS (excluding chronic respiratory disease, chronic cardiac disease, congestive heart failure)

Outcome: mortality

Independent risk factors for mortality:

(1) number of organ failures on admission to the ICU (odds ratio 2.1)

(2) peak inspiratory pressure in cm H2O on day 1 (odds ratio 1.13)

where:

• The risk associated with peak inspiratory pressure may be the increase above normal rather than the absolute value.

Other findings associated with increased mortality:

(1) airway pressure gradient in cm H2O (equals the peak inspiratory pressure minus PEEP in cm H20)

(2) mean airway pressure over the first 7 days of mechanical ventilation