Pediatric intensive care and treatment of neuromuscular diseases

The natural course of every neuromuscular disease infallibly leads to respiratory insufficiency and fatal outcome. The clinical approach to these patients has been essentially changed during the last few decades. They have the right to use all the possibilities of modern medicine, including pediatric intensive care. On the other hand, the quality of their lives, the effect on their families’ lives, and limited health resources have to be considered. Pediatric intensive care approach to children with neuromuscular diseases is described with the emphasize on ethical dilemmas still present in their treatment.