TABLE 2.

Acute exacerbation in children's interstitial lung disease

Definition

A significant worsening of the patient's respiratory condition that necessitates a change in regular management

Criteria (≥2 criteria are needed to diagnose an acute exacerbation)

Increase in respiratory rate ≥20% from baseline Increase in or development of dyspnoea Newly developing or increased abnormalities on chest imaging Onset/increase of oxygen demand to attain the individual baseline saturation (at rest and/or during exercise) Need for an additional level of ventilatory support (in addition to oxygen) Decrease in spirometry in children able to perform the tests (≥10%) from baseline for vital capacity Reduced exercise tolerance in children able to perform the tests (includes desaturation)

Information from [18].