Objective To investigate the effects of recombinant human growth hormone on prognosis,pulmonary function and immune function in the patients with pulmonary exogenous respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Methods Eighty-four cases of ARDS were selected and divided into the observation group (n=42) and control group (n=42) according to the random number table.The control group was treated with the routine therapy according to the ARDS Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines,while on this basis the observation group used recombinant human growth hormone for conducting treatment.The treatment time lasted for 7 d.The clinical effects and improvement situation of immune function before and after treatment were recorded in the two groups.Results The Murray acute lung injury score,and acute physiology and chronic health status score (APACHE Ⅱ) after treatment in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).The mechanical ventilation time and ICU stay of observation group were shorter than those of the control group(P<0.05).The mortality rate of the observation group was lower than that of the control group(P<0.05).The levels of vital capacity (VC),total lung volume (TLC),forced expiratory vital capacity (FVC),forced expiratory volume of vital capacity (FEV1),forced expiratory vital capacity 1 second (FEV1/FVC) and carbon monoxide (DLCO) after treatment in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05).The levels of CD3+,CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ after treatment in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05).The levels of interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α) after treatment in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Recombinant human growth hormone can effectively improve the pulmonary function in the patients with pulmonary exogenous ARDS,improves the immune function and is conducive to the prognosis of patients.