Your Child’s Endotracheal Tube (ETT)

Important information about your child’s endotracheal tube (breathing tube):

• An endotracheal tube is placed through the mouth or nose. The tube goes down the throat to the lungs. 

• The breathing tube provides a path for air to get to a child’s lungs. The tube is secured to keep your child safe.

Why would a child need a breathing tube?

There are times when children need a breathing tube and use a breathing machine (ventilator) to help them breathe. Your child’s healthcare team will explain why a breathing tube is recommended for your child. Reasons that children may need a breathing tube:

• Lung disease or injury

• Heart disease

• Neuromuscular illness

• Trauma

• Brain injury

• During and after an operation

• Airway issues

• Certain medications that interrupt the normal breathing pattern

What can be expected with a breathing tube?

The ETT is helping your child breathe. The following things may occur when the breathing tube is in place: 

• Gagging, swelling, and sore throat.

• Your child will not be able to talk. They will not be able to eat or drink by mouth. 

Ways we can keep your child comfortable with a breathing tube:

• Hospital staff (nurses and respiratory therapists) closely monitor children with breathing tubes to prevent any harm. When a breathing tube is in place, staff may: 

• Keep the head of your child’s bed up. 

• Suction (clean the breathing tube of secretions). 

• Clean teeth or gums frequently. 

• Check to be sure that the tape or securement device for the breathing tube is in place and replace as needed. 

• When we reposition your child, a staff member will be assigned to hold the breathing tube in place.

• The medical provider will assess the ongoing need for the breathing tube and will discuss weaning opportunities as your child improves.

• Sometimes medicine is used to keep a child comfortable. 

• At times the use of positioning aides (soft hand mitts and soft restraints) will be used to prevent a child from grabbing and removing a breathing tube on their own.

Instructions for keeping your child safe with a breathing tube:

• Parents know their children best. You may have ideas about how best to keep your child safe and keep the breathing tube in place. You are valuable to your child by keeping them calm, happy, and making sure their hands are away from the breathing tube.

• If you would like to hold your child, please discuss it with your child’s care team. 

• Please do not attempt to move or reposition the tubing yourself. Call for assistance to help move or reposition your child.   

• Please do not lower or raise the child’s bed rails without help from your child’s care team. The breathing tube could get caught and move out of place. 

• The patient care team talks every day to decide when your child is ready to have their breathing tube removed or to move to the next stage of care.

• If you have any questions or concerns, contact your child’s health care provider or your bedside nurse. 

• Thank you for partnering with us to help keep your child safe!

Reviewed September 2024 by Jessica Strohm Farber, DNP