Home mechanical ventilation in children: techniques, outcomes and ethics

Abstract

Various neuromuscular and pulmonary disorders can cause ventilatory failure in children. Tracheostomy ventilation in the home is especially valuable in younger children who require ventilatory support for most of the day and who have bulbar dysfunction but newer noninvasive techniques especially nasal mask ventilation are often preferable. It is important to select the type of ventilator and to choose the interface with the patient carefully in order to maximise the child's quality of life.