[Nasal mechanical ventilation in children].

Background: Nasal mechanical ventilation is not only applicable to adults but also in childhood when necessary.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-six children suffering from various neuromuscular diseases were brought up by their parents to learn nasal mechanical ventilation. Thirty children had to be ventilated, because of symptomatic ventilatory failure, reduced ventilatory muscle capacity or hypercapnia.

Results: Thirty-five children could be adapted to nasal mechanical ventilation, 1 girl needed a naso-oral mask. 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 adults and children. Nasal mechanical ventilation is indeed a good possibility for children even in early childhood. Children should be introduced to mechanical ventilation at the beginning of the symptoms of ventilatory failure.