Many children and adolescents with SCI have impairment of respiratory function because of decreased innervation to muscles of respiration. This article discusses the anatomy and physiology of respiration, evaluation following SCI, indications for use of noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NMV) following SCI, types of NMV, and the use of assisted cough and the exsufflator.

noninvasive mechanical ventilation, respiratory problems, spinal cord injury
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