Citation

Regens JL, Mould N. Front. Public Health 2014; 2: 28.

Affiliation

OUHSC Center for Biosecurity Research, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center , Oklahoma City, OK , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Frontiers Editorial Office)

DOI

10.3389/fpubh.2014.00028

PMID

24783188

Abstract

The prevention and treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) attributable to rapid-onset natural disasters is a major challenge confronting disaster preparedness planners and emergency medical personnel responding to those incidents. The kinetic energy released by rapid-onset natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes or typhoons, and tornadoes can cause mild, moderate, or severe TBIs. As a result, neurotrauma is a major risk factor for mortality and morbidity outcomes within the spatial domain impacted by a rapid-onset natural disaster. This review article elucidates major challenges associated with immediate emergency medical response, long-term care, and prevention of post-event increases in pediatric TBIs because of child abuse when rapid-onset natural disasters occur.

Language: en