Clinical Outcome Discrimination in Pediatric ARDS by Chest Radiograph Severity Scoring

BACKGROUND: There is no accurate radiological measurement to estimate the severity of pediatrics acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS). We validated the effectiveness of an adult radiographic assessment of lung edema (RALE) score in PARDS. AIM: To assess the severity and prognosis of PARDS based on a chest radiograph (CXR) RALE scoring method. METHODS: Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference (PALICC) criteria were used to diagnose PARDS. General demographics, pulmonary complications, and 28‐day mortality of the patients were recorded. Subgroups were compared by prognosis (survive and death) and etiology (infection and noninfection). Two observers calculated RALE independently. Each quadrant of CXR was scored by consolidation scores 0 (none alveolar opacity), 1 (extent <25%), 2 (extent 25%–50%), 3 (50%–75%), and 4 (>75%) and density scores 1 (hazy), 2 (moderate), and 3 (dense). Quadrant score equals consolidation score times density score. Total score equals to the sum of four quadrants scores. The ROC curve and survival curve were established, and the optimal cutoff score for discrimination prognosis was set. RESULTS: 116 PARDS (72 boys and 44 girls) and 463 CXRs were enrolled. The median age was 25 months (5 months, 60.8 months) and with a mortality of 37.9% (44/116). The agreement between two independent observers was excellent (ICC = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97–0.99). Day 3 score was independently associated with better survival (p < 0.001). The area under the curve of ROC was 0.773 (95% CI: 0.709–0.838). The cutoff score was 21 (sensitivity 71.7%, specificity 76.5%), and the hazard ratio (HR) was 9.268 (95% CI: 1.257–68.320). The pulmonary complication showed an HR of 3.678 (95% CI: 1.174–11.521) for the discrimination. CONCLUSION: CXR RALE score can be used in PARDS for discriminating the prognosis and has a better agreement among radiologist and pediatrician. PARDS with pulmonary complications, day 3 score whether greater than 21 points, have a better predictive effectiveness.