INTRODUCTION: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a life-saving method and a significant part of any mechanical circulatory support program. There are significant differences in ECMO system placement and management in pediatric patients compared to adults, including indications, ECMO circuit placement, and implantation sites. The ECMO system is a modified cardiopulmonary bypass circuit, conceptually similar to the one invented by John Gibbon in 1936 and currently used during a cardio bypass in the operating room for open heart surgery. METHOD: For the preparation of the thesis, data were collected from scientific databases by searching the literature available on the Internet. The following databases have been searched: PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Embasa, Researchgate and Hrčak. The inclusion criterion was professional literature related to extracorporeal membranous oxygenation in pediatrics, while the exclusion criterion was literature that was more than 15 years old. OUTLINE: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is an adaptation of the conventional cardiopulmonary bridging technique used to provide long-term support for respiratory and / or cardiac function. It provides physiological cardiopulmonary support to patients with acute, reversible heart or respiratory failure. The term “extracorporeal life support” (ECLS) has been proposed to describe prolonged but temporary (1-30 days) support to heart or lung function by mechanical devices. Technically, ECMO terminology is used for modalities that provide a pulmonary support system that includes oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal, while ECLS is used both for cardiac and pulmonary support systems, however, these terminologies are still used interchangeably. CONCLUSION: The nurse has an extremely important role in the overall process of caring for and treating a child as she is responsible for applying therapy, preventing infection, maintaining skin integrity, detecting changes in the child's condition, conducting diagnostic procedures, and plays a significant role in communicating with parents. The nurse in children`s intensive care units must have the knowledge and skills necessary for the care of a child since intensive care includes supervision, care, treatment and maintenance of life.