Our study identifies a complex mixture of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, MCP-1, IP-10, IL-17A, IL-12p70, GM-CSF, IFN-α), immunoregulatory cytokines (IL-12p70, IL-1RA, IL-27, IL-10) and homeostatic/repair factors (PIGF-1, HGF, VEGF-A, VEGF-D) which were associated with disease severity and time course of PARDS. The gene discussed is CSF2; the disease is pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome.