Incidence and risk stratification of pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome in pediatric intensive care unit.

Objective: To determine the incidence and risk stratification of pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS) in mechanically ventilated (MV) patients admitted at the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Study Design: Prospective Observational study. Setting: The PICU of National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, Pakistan. Period: April 2024 to March 2025. Methods: A total of 200 children aged 1 month to < 18 years admitted to the PICU with PARDS, and undergoing MV were included. Risk stratification was done on the basis of oxygenation index (OI) categorizing as mild (4 ≤ OI < 8), moderate (8 ≤ OI < 16), and severe (OI ≥ 16). Duration of MV, use of inotropes, PICU stay duration, and mortality were documented and compared with respect to PARDS severity using chi-square test, and Kruskal-Wallis test, taking p