The medical records of 89 ventilator-assisted children followed at the University of Michigan Medical Center from 1978 to 1993 were reviewed. The status of these children was remarkably stable. Parameters of communication, nutrition, education, and mobility changed very little over time, and fewer than half had to be re-admitted. Children aged 9 to 12 years had the most nursing hours; in terms of diagnosis, those with spinal cord injury and bronchopulmonary dysplasia had the most. The younger children had the longest initial hospital stay and the most re-admissions. The authors conclude that appropriate rehabilitation during the initial hospitalization can minimize later changes, instability and rehospitalizations, and that careful follow-up and periodic evaluation can improve the patients' health and function.