Objective To explore the effect of low tidal volume ventilation on the treatment of children with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Methods Forty-four hospitalized children with ARDS from Jan 2008 to Dec 2011 at Kunming Children's Hospital were enrolled in this study.The observation group included 24 patients who received the treatment of low tidal volume ventilation (6 ～ 8 ml/kg),while the other 20 patients were in the control group who were given traditional volume ventilation (10 ～ 12 ml/kg).Oxygenation situations and blood gas analysis at 24,48,72 h after ventilation、mechanical ventilation complications,and the mortality in the first 28 days were observed.Results The ratios of PaO2/FiO2 were 104 ±23.6 in observation group and 112 ±34.7 in control group (P ＞0.05).However,after 24,48 and 72 h of ventilation,the ratios of PaO2/FiO2 showed statistical significance (t ≥2.01,P ＜0.05 ; t ≥2.74,P ＜ 0.01).Barotrauma in observation group was significantly lower than that in control group (x2 =6.97,P ＜ 0.01).The mortality (16.7％) of the observation group was significantly lower than that (50％) of the control group (x2 =5.58,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Low tidal volume ventilation can reduce complications and improve oxygenation of ARDS patients,and reduce the mortality in ARDS children.The improved rescue technology should be applied for the treatment of children with ARDS.