[Acute respiratory insufficiency].

Overall respiratory insufficiency is considered to be present when pO2 is less than 60 mm. Hg. and pCO2 is over 49 mm. Hg. If pO2 is low with normal pCO2, partial respiratory insufficiency will be present (hypoxemia without hypercapnia) which is the most frequent situation in children. Several fundamental facts on respiratory pathophysiology are made clear in order to understand the therapeutic procedures that are applied in respiratory insufficiency. Following this, the author describes some pathologic respiratory situations and their therapeutic management.