Increasing flow rates of high-flow humidified nasal cannula decreased effort of breathing in children, with the most significant impact seen from high-flow humidified nasal cannula 2 to 8 L/min. There are likely multiple mechanisms for this clinical effect, including generation of positive pressure and washout of airway dead space.

Berlin PF criteria for ARDS identified less than half of the children with ARDS, favoring those with cardiovascular dysfunction. SF or OSI discriminate ICU mortality as well as PF and OI, double the number of children available for risk stratification, and should be considered for severity of illness scores and included in a pediatric-specific definition of ARDS. Multicenter validation is required.

No abstract