Respiratory function monitoring during mechanical ventilation in pediatric intensive care unit.

Noninvasive monitoring of lung function during mechanical ventilation has been used to study disease processes causing respiratory failure. Pediatric pulmonary function monitoring during mechanical ventilation in the pediatric intensive care unit in patient with respiratory failure is becoming more common in western countries. The article describes a review of principles and methods of respiratory function monitoring in the pediatric age group. It attempts to incorporate experience from original articles previously published as well as the experience in monitoring pulmonary mechanics at our institution. Routine monitoring of pulmonary mechanics in patients being mechanically ventilated may have significant impact on morbidity and/or mortality of pediatric patients with respiratory failure. Key articles pertaining to lung function testing in pediatric age group from past 15 years were used as well as clinical experience encountered by attending pediatric intensivists at Henrico Doctors' Hospital was incorporated. Over the past ten years the use of monitoring of gas exchange and bedside pulmonary mechanics monitoring as a part of respiratory function monitoring has become more common. With better clinical information to precisely document the status of lung function, it may lead to improved methods of ventilator management which may prevent complications and may significantly impact on morbidity and/or mortality of mechanically ventilated pediatric patients.