Mechanical ventilation (MV) can be lifesaving in children with respiratory failure, but complications may arise. We decided to evaluate the frequency of complications at our ICU. All admissions for MV to the Instituto de Salud del Niño were prospectively evaluated during 17 months. Age, diagnosis, nutritional state, endotracheal tube (ET) size, duration of MV, ventilatory settings and complications like endobrochial intubation (EI), ET blockage, atelectasis, barotrauma (BT), infection and postextubation stridor were recorded. Mean age was 37 mo. (<Id-19 y). Mean duration of MV was 5.7 days, months children with complications duration was longer (p<0.05). There were 228 complications in 142 (31,6%) patients. Malnutrition was detected in 97 (21,6%); they had higher mortality rates (p<0.001, chi square, Yates correction). EI was observed in 47 (10,5%) patients; BT in 66 (14,7%); i...