Advances in Ventilatory Support of Critically Ill Children

Advances in pediatric medical practices often lag behind the progress made in adult patients, primarily because of the limited number of randomized, controlled, clinical trials. Recent advances in mechanical ventilation derived from successful application in adults include neurally adjusted ventilatory assist, noninvasive ventilation, and protective lung strategies. NAVA improves patient/ ventilator synchrony and reduces the work of breathing, which allows for a decreased use of sedation. This should decrease the length of time patients are intubated and mechanically ventilated. The use of noninvasive ventilation eliminates the need for endotracheal tubes and complications associated with them including tracheal injury, pressure ulcers, issues with oral hygiene and ventilator associated pneumonia. Application of lung protective strategies to pediatric patients with acute lung injury and/or ARDS results in increased oxygenation, less lung injury, and improvements in morbidity and mortality.