Ventilator Management: What Does It All Mean?

Neonatal ventilation has progressed from a primitive adaptation of adult ventilatory techniques to its own science. An understanding of the fundamental concepts involved is essential in applying these newer ventilator modalities to successful care of the critically ill newborn. A discussion of pulmonary function and its application to the newer ventilator strategies is presented with a historical approach to the development of the newer ventilator modalities.