Non-invasive ventilation in Pediatrics

Abstract

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has been developing during the last years and has become a proven therapeutic weapon in neonatal and pediatric population, in acute and chronic patients, with an important decrease of side-effects produced by conventional ventilation. Even though contraindications for the application of NIV are not so numerous, it is necessary to know them all in order to avoid any mistake in the indication of NIV or fake failures of the technique. Material and NIV methodology must be chosen depending on the patient´s type of disease. The applicationof NIV in type II acute respiratory insufficiency (ARF) is well documented and promising results have been obtained. There are special indications in type I ARF (acute pulmonary edema) in which NIV has proved to be a great option. Also NIV could be an interesting therapeutic option in other pathologies involved in type I ARF, without forgetting some recommendations. The first hours after the NIV initiation, clinical monitoring must be practiced in order to detect clinical changes which may relate with the success of our actions. We present a review of basic concepts, indications, contra-indications and methodology of NIV in pediatric patients.