ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) is a serious pulmonary disease characterized by a typical course with frequent complications and high mortality. It is well know it does not affect only adult population but can be found also in children even in the lowest age groups. Besides conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV), high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) can be used in its therapy. There are discussed several exceptional characteristics of oscillatory ventilation, and a summary the conclusions of the biggest published trials is presented.

        Key words: HFOV – ARDS – mechanical ventilation – child