ABSTRACT
Intensive care requirements for the infant with respiratory failure encompass the full range of organ support techniques and require close collaboration between nursing, medical and other support staff. When conducting an evaluation of such an infant, a systematic approach is recommended. This chapter addresses the principal areas that should be addressed during the course of such an evaluation with the exception of issues specific to respiratory support, intensive care monitoring, physiotherapy and nutrition, which are discussed elsewhere (Chapters 15, 16B, 17, 18).
