title: Providing care to children in times of war.
abstract: The Geneva Conventions stipulate that an occupying power must ensure adequate health care delivery to noncombatants. Special emphasis is given to children, who are among the most vulnerable in a conflict zone. Whether short-term pediatric care should be provided by Military Treatment Facilities to local nationals for conditions other than combat-related injury is controversial. A review of 1,197 children without traumatic injury cared for during 10 years in Iraq and Afghanistan was conducted. Mortality rates were less than 1% among patients with surgical conditions and resource utilization was not excessive. In view of international humanitarian law and these outcomes, children with nontraumatic conditions can and should be considered for treatment at Military Treatment Facilities. The ability to correct the condition and availability of resources necessary to do so should be taken into account.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tripler Army Medical Center, 1 Jarrett White Road, Honolulu, HI 96856.
authors.forename: Will
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive, Fort Sam, Houston, TX 78234.
authors.forename: Mary J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Tripler Army Medical Center, 1 Jarrett White Road, Honolulu, HI 96856.
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Burnett
mesh_terms: D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D000533:Altruism; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000941:ethics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006772:Hospitals, Military / Q000941:ethics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D014481:United States; D014857:Warfare