Discussion
The main finding of this study is that it was possible to quantify the electrical activity of the diaphragm and parasternal intercostal muscles in mechanically ventilated children through transcutaneous recordings (sEMG). Breath-by-breath analysis showed a time-dependent relation between inspiratory sEMG and the ventilator pressurization reflected by a positive trigger time and almost neutral cycle time in PS ventilation. Furthermore, the electrical activity of both diaphragm and ICM increased in response to decreasing inspiratory level of assist on a cohort level.