PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Nadine McCrea AU - Roddy O'Donnell AU - Richard Brown TI - Outpatient respiratory management of the child with severe neurological impairment AID - 10.1136/archdischild-2012-302324 DP - 2013 Jun 01 TA - Archives of disease in childhood - Education & practice edition PG - 84--91 VI - 98 IP - 3 4099 - http://ep.bmj.com/content/98/3/84.short 4100 - http://ep.bmj.com/content/98/3/84.full SO - Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed2013 Jun 01; 98 AB - Most paediatricians will have faced the challenge of managing respiratory problems in the child with severe neurological impairment. These children are under-represented in clinical trials, and data is therefore often extrapolated from other groups, for example children with cystic fibrosis. This means that robust evidence for respiratory management in children with severe neurological impairment is often lacking. Here we have attempted to piece together the existing evidence to provide a rational approach to the management of respiratory problems in children with severe neurological impairment. We also hope to highlight areas of uncertainty, in order to aid honest discussions with families. The respiratory management of the child with neuromuscular disease is beyond the scope of this article.