Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has extended its use in pediatric setting. Besides acute respiratory conditions, it is also used in chronic diseases associated to ventilatory failure. In the acute setting, PICU constitutes the natural scenery. In chronic conditions, therapy is transferred home as a multidisciplinary program already available in our country. The objective of this review is an update applying respiratory physiology, technical and clinical issues necessary for choosing and using accurately NIV in both acute and chronic settings.