Nutritional status in critically ill pediatric patients is considered a fundamental prognostic factor in terms of mortality, morbidity, complications and outcome. Many studies report how predictive equations most commonly applied are inaccurate, therefore under or over estimating the body energy requirements. For this reason, actual measurement of resting energy expenditure (REE) through indirect calorimetry (IC) is considered to be a better approach.

Currently, IC is not validated during the use of non-invasive ventilation.

Aim of the present study is to validate the measurement of REE with IC in pediatric patients undergoing non-invasive ventilation through a single-limb circuit with intentional leak.

Inclusion Criteria:

• children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit who completed the weaning phase from non-invasive ventilation.
• age ≤ 6 years
• patients whose parents provided signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• age > 6 years
• patients whose parents didn't provide signed informed consent