Objective To explore the warning significance of serum Clara cell secretory protein levels of specific proteins -CC16 in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Methods A retrospective analysis of our hospital from March 2013 to March 2014 hospitalization of 60 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is defined as the observation group) clinical data. Also participating in the same period in our hospital healthy adults 58 cases of clinical data for the control group. The progress of the disease observed in patients during different periods of serum Clara cell secretory protein -CC16 specific protein levels were relatively healthy population indicators to evaluate the clinical significance of early warning. Results The serum CC16 protein levels were higher in each period, as the disease progresses, serum CC16 protein levels continued to increase, the first three stages of serum CC16 protein levels showed gradual increasing trend, the difference statistically significant (P<0.05), and dying of ARDS CC16 serum levels of close, the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion Acute respiratory distress syndrome serum Clara cell secretory protein CC16 levels began to increase in patients with early inflammatory response, and the change earlier than changes in blood gas analysis, so the changes can be CC16 indicators for early acute respiratory distress syndrome Diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, worthy of wider application.