Medical management of vulnerable populations and co-morbid conditions of victims of bioterrorism.
Planning for the medical response to bioterrorism has primarily focused around the needs of the population as a whole. There has been little discussion pertaining to certain vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised patients, yet they will likely comprise a significant subset of the exposed population. In addition, they will be at increased risk for morbidity and mortality following an attack. The emergency response to bioterrorism will be more complex as it relates to these vulnerable populations. Careful consideration of their special needs, some of which are presented in this article, may refine our efforts.
Children's Hospital of Michigan, Regional Poison Control Center, 4160 John R Suite 616, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. swhite1@dmc.org
Suzanne R
SR
White
Fred M
FM
Henretig
Richard G
RG
Dukes
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D023482:Bioterrorism; D002648:Child; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States; D014611:Vaccination