[Nocturnal nasal mask ventilation in childhood].

Nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation in childhood is a major advance in the noninvasive treatment of chronic respiratory failure in childhood. Between 1987 and 1994 author could found reports about 58 patients aged 2 to 18 years. Diagnosis were neuromuscular diseases (n = 51), scoliosis (n = 4), cystic fibrosis (n = 2) and central hypoventilation syndrome (n = 1). Author reports about indications, physiological effects, advantages, side effects and limits, about ethical considerations, technical and psychological preparation and realization of intermittent nasal ventilation in childhood.