Ventilatory support for infants in emergency and in the intensive care unit

Pediatric anesthesia and intensive care management has improved dramatically over the past two decades. Improved understanding of the pathophysiology underlying newborn surgical emergencies, new medications and new modes of ventilatory support have all contributed to better patient outcome. The authors have reviewed the anatomy and physiology of the infant airway, indications for and principles of endotracheal intubation, the management of newborn surgical emergencies, indications for post-operative ventilatory support, different modes of mechanical ventilation available, complications of mechanical ventilation with weaning parameters and extubation criteria. The introduction of nitric oxide and the implications of extracorpreal membrane oxygenation in the management of newborn emergency refractory to conventional ventilation are discussed.