Neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): inflammatory pathways and interventions

Abstract

ARDS in adults was first described in 1967, but it took some more years until neonatal and pediatric ARDS were also recognized as similar entities in young patients. ARDS is defined by respiratory failure needing mechanical ventilation, impaired oxygenation, and diffuse infiltrations on chest X-rays reflecting pulmonary edema secondary to inflammation. Alveolo-capillary barrier dysfunction with disruption of epithelial and endothelial tight/adherence junctions allow inflammatory cells, water, and serum proteins to flood the alveoli followed by inactivation of surfactant and alveolar collapse.