The Impact of Natural Disaster on Pediatric Surgical Delivery: A Review of Haiti Six Months Before and After the 2010 Earthquake

Abstract

Little is known about pediatric surgical disease in resource-poor countries. This study documents the surgical care of children in central Haiti and demonstrates the influence of the 2010 earthquake on pediatric surgical delivery. Methods. We conducted a retrospective review of operations performed at Partners in Health/Zanmi Lasante hospitals in central Haiti. Results. Of 2,057 operations performed prior to the earthquake, 423 were pediatric (20.6%). Congenital anomalies were the most common operative indication (159/423 opera- tions; 33.5%). Pediatric surgical volume increased signi cantly a er the earthquake, with524 Pediatric surgical care in Haiti 670 operations performed (23.0% post-earthquake v. 20.6% pre-earthquake, p5.03). Trauma and burns became the most common surgical diagnoses a er the disaster, and operations for non-traumatic conditions decreased signi cantly (p,.01). Conclusion. Congenital anomalies represent a signi cant proportion of baseline surgical need in Haiti. A natural disaster can change the nature of pediatric surgical practice by signi cantly increasing demand for operative trauma care for months afterward.