There is no effective therapy against RSV available, prevention can only be achieved through passive immunisation using monoclonal antibodies [4] . RSV LRTD is pathophysiologically characterized by sloughed necrotic epithelium, excessive mucus secretion, bronchial mucosal oedema and peribronchial inflammation that contributes to airway obstruction resulting in increased airway resistance with subsequent air-ANOVA: analysis of variance; ARDS: acute respiratory distress syndrome; CO 2 : carbon dioxide; Cstat: static compliance; EELV: end-expiratory lung volume; EIT: electrical impedance tomography; ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; ET-CO 2 : end-tidal carbon dioxide; FiO 2 : fraction of inspired oxygen; LRTD: lower respiratory tract disease; MAP: mean airway pressure; MV: mechanical ventilation; OI: oxygenation index; PaCO 2 : partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide; PaO 2 : partial pressure of arterial oxygen; PEEP: positive end-expiratory pressure; PEFR: peak expiratory flow rate; PICU: paediatric intensive care unit; PIP: positive inspiratory pressure; Ptrach: intratracheal pressure; relative Δ EELV : relative change in end-expiratory lung volume; Rlung: lung resistance; Rrs: respiratory system resistance; RSV: respiratory syncytial virus; SPO 2 : oxygen saturation; V D : dead space; VI: ventilation index; Vte: expiratory tidal volume.