Respiratory Mechanics in the Mechanically Ventilated Patient

Infants and young children have a number of anatomical reasons and physiological reasons for making accurate measurement of respiratory mechanics in the intensive care unit. Despite advances in the measurement of respiratory mechanics in non-intubated infants, these advances have been slow to be adapted to intubated patients due to technical limitations. Thus, the major role of lung function testing in the ICU has been limited to the research arena. However, despite these limitations it is essential the person caring for the intubated pediatric patient have an in-depth understanding of the respiratory mechanics involved with the use of a positive pressure ventilator.