Intratidal recruitment/derecruitment persists at low and moderate positive end-expiratory pressure in paediatric patients.

In paediatric patients positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is traditionally set lower than in adults. We investigated whether moderately higher PEEP improves respiratory mechanics and regional ventilation. Therefore, 40 children were mechanically ventilated with PEEP 2 and 5cmHO.