Basics about ventilation: Basic modes and settings

Mechanical ventilation continues to be one of the most common therapies in neonates who require intensive care. The aim in ventilating these babies with respiratory failure is to achieve adequate gas exchange without injuring the lungs. Although the mortality of neonates and particularly, extremely preterm babies has markedly decreased in recent years, a number of these infants need prolonged mechanical ventilation and may develop complications related to ventilation. Ventilatory strategy should take into account the pathophysiology, nature and course of the disease. Current ventilation strategies dictate being more ‘kinder and gentler’ on the newborn lungs in order to reduce ventilator induced lung damage. This can be achieved by using basic ventilator modalities through conventional techniques with very infrequent need for newer sophisticated ventilators.