Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (Pards) In Sepsis Patients with Chronic Conditions: An Adaptation of the Phoenix Score and Palicc-2 In Chronically Ill Children and Adolescents

Background. acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric intensive care unit. This case series describes five cases in a population of chronically and critically ill children, all of whom presented with a primary infectious insult (sepsis or septic shock) that led to ARDS between 2020 and 2022. Acknowledging the complex interplay between these two clinical entities, the study aimed to simultaneously apply the most recent diagnostic guidelines for ARDS (PALICC-2) and pediatric sepsis (Phoenix criteria) to support these clinical findings, especially in that specific population, with current literature. Material-Methods. Retrospective analysis of medical records from five selected patients and application of both PALICC-2 and Phoenix sepsis score to cases identified having simultaneously PARDS after an infectious insult, utilizing clinical and laboratorial information presented at the time. Results. After scores application, our descriptive case studies demonstrated patients with both diagnoses were chronically infected and exhibited a baseline infectious pattern as the cause of mild/moderate PARDS, exhibiting clinical correlation with score values obtained. Conclusions: Appropriate correlation between clinical findings and severity scores.