Methods of using inhaled nitric oxide gas for treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome in children

1. A method of treating acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in children comprising administering a gas comprising nitric oxide (NO) to a child in need thereof at a dose in the range from about 2 ppm to about 8 ppm NO for a treatment period of at least 24 hours, wherein the child is determined to have an oxygenation index of greater than or equal to 12 cm H 2 O/mmHg.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein NO is administered for a treatment period of at least 2 days.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein NO is administered for a treatment period of at least 3 days.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein NO is administered for a treatment period up to 2 months.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein NO is administered at a dose in the range from about 2 ppm to about 6 ppm NO.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein NO is administered at a dose of about 5 ppm.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the child is not subjected to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during NO administration.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the child is less than 17 years old.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the child is determined to have a ratio of partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood to fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio) of less than 300.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the child has a chest x-ray showing at least unilateral infiltrates, wherein the x-ray has been taken within 24 hours of starting treatment.