Nasal mechanical ventilation in children

Background: Nasal mechanical ventilation is not only applicable to adults b ut also in childhood when necessary. Patients and Methods: Thirty-six children suffering from various neuromuscu lar diseases were brought up by their parents to learn nasal mechanical ven tilation. Thirty children had to be ventilated, because of symptomatic vent ilatory failure, reduced ventilatory muscle capacity or hypercapnia. Results: Thirty-five children could be adapted to nasal mechanical ventilat ion, 1 girl needed a naso-oral masks. All children wanted to continue with ventilation because they realized the benefit. Their symptoms disappeared. Conclusions: The management of ventilatory failure should be the same in ad ults and children. Nasal mechanical ventilation is indeed a good possibilit y for children even in early childhood. Children should be introduced to me chanical ventilation at the beginning of the symptoms of ventilator failure .