Neonatal and pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation provides an external circulation for the critically ill patient with components capable of supporting the cardiorespiratory system while the patient's innate organs recover from the primary insult. This therapy is often used in children with relatively well-elucidated indications. Although initially used in the setting of neonatal respiratory failure, the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for pediatric respiratory and cardiac indications is not uncommon. The complications and the outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation compare favorably with other forms of conventional therapy.