Acta paediatrica
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Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is commonly used in paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) for respiratory failure. This review aims to improve paediatricians' understanding of NIV, by specifying technical or practical considerations, giving advice about selecting patients and presenting pertinent published data about NIV in different circumstances. ⋯ NIV is useful in PICUs if children are appropriately selected and carefully monitored. Technological advances and future clinical research will improve its use and success rate in PICU.