title: Disaster planning for pediatrics.
abstract: Natural and man-made disasters are inevitable and appear to be more common in the current age. Substantial time and effort have been invested and millions of dollars spent on disaster prevention and management. An important oversight in this planning has been the special needs of children.  The vulnerability of children and their physiologic characteristics place them at increased risk during a disaster. Importantly, reunification with family and assurance of safety in this vulnerable group is a priority. This paper addresses issues related to pediatric needs, the medical system's  shortcomings in caring for children, and recommendations for action.
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma and Critical Care, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0558, USA. richard.branson@uc.edu
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Branson
mesh_terms: D022561:Advanced Cardiac Life Support; D002648:Child; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy; D014218:Triage; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data