The impact of natural disaster on pediatric surgical delivery: a review of Haiti six months before and after the 2010 earthquake.
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 operations; 33.5%). Pediatric surgical volume increased significantly after the earthquake, with 670 operations performed (23.0% post-earthquake v. 20.6% pre-earthquake, p=.03). Trauma and burns became the most common surgical diagnoses after the disaster, and operations for non-traumatic conditions decreased significantly (p<.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Congenital anomalies represent a significant proportion of baseline surgical need in Haiti. A natural disaster can change the nature of pediatric surgical practice by significantly increasing demand for operative trauma care for months afterward.
Children's Hospital Boston, MA, USA. chughes414@gmail.com
Christopher D
CD
Hughes
Katherine A
KA
Nash
Blake C
BC
Alkire
Craig D
CD
McClain
Lars E
LE
Hagander
C Jason
CJ
Smithers
Maxi
M
Raymonville
Stephen R
SR
Sullivan
Robert
R
Riviello
Selwyn O
SO
Rogers
John G
JG
Meara
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D055866:Earthquakes; D005260:Female; D006205:Haiti; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*