The reviewed studies report distinct physical sequelae, including neurological abnormalities in PICU survivors. Standardised neurological examination of PICU survivors was validated in 1994 but very few studies have been carried out since [24, 25] . As neurological problems have a great impact on daily life, standardised evaluation and adequate support and rehabilitation seem to be relevant, similar to in NICU survivors [11, 46, 56] . Follow-up studies evaluating lung function in children are hampered by the small incidence of severe respiratory insufficiency in children [49] . In adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the recovery of lung function is shown during the first year and physical limitations seem to be partly dependent on lung function [34, 58] . In infants and children, post-natal lung growth may contribute to the improvement of lung function after critical illness. In addition to lung function, the long-term effect of small airway disease should be evaluated, for instance, in children with respiratory syncitial virus infection.