The introduction of the ventilator-associated event (VAE) surveillance definition marked a meaningful advancement by reducing the subjectivity inherent in conventional VAP definitions, primarily benefiting adult critical care. However, this updated criterion has yet to be widely adopted in paediatric units, raising important questions regarding its potential impact on paediatric outcomes. This book examines VAP and VAE in paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and evaluates whether applying VAE definitions alongside traditional VAP criteria could establish a clearer, more reliable diagnostic framework in paediatric care.