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When initial airway interventions, such as positioning, suctioning, or using non-invasive ventilation techniques, do not restore adequate ventilation or oxygenation in a pediatric patient, intubation may be necessary. Intubation involves placing an endotracheal tube into the trachea to maintain an open airway and ensure the patient receives the appropriate amount of air directly into the lungs.

This procedure is vital in emergencies where the patient's ability to maintain their airway is compromised, such as in cases of severe respiratory distress, decreased level of consciousness, or muscle weakness. It allows for controlled ventilation and protects the airway from aspiration, which can be critical in pediatric patients who may have anatomical and physiological considerations that make airway management more challenging.

In contrast, while continuous positive airway pressure can support patients with obstructive sleep apnea or respiratory failure, and a tracheostomy provides a long-term solution for airway management in chronic cases, intubation is typically the immediate intervention applied in acute scenarios when the airway is compromised. Ventilation, on the other hand, refers to techniques used to assist or replace spontaneous breathing, but if the airway itself is not secure or is obstructed, these techniques cannot be effectively performed until intubation occurs. Therefore, intubation is