Onyejesi Chibuike Daniel, Alsabri Mohamed, Del Castillo Miranda Jose Carlos, Aziz Mayam Mohamed, Ram Muskaan Doulat, Abady Eslam Moumen, Abdelbar Sohaila Mohamed
Department of Pediatrics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Pediatric Emergency Medicine, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Int J Emerg Med. 2025 May 6;18(1):91. doi: 10.1186/s12245-025-00856-w.
Disasters, whether natural or man-made, pose significant challenges to healthcare systems, with children being among the most vulnerable populations. Pediatric Emergency Departments (PEDs) require specialized protocols to address children's distinct physiological, psychological, and developmental needs in other to respond adequately to disasters. While international guidelines for disaster preparedness exist, significant disparities persist across different healthcare settings, particularly in low-resource regions where preparedness measures remain inadequate. This review examines the current state of pediatric disaster preparedness, analyzing insights from past disasters to highlight key challenges, gaps, and opportunities for improvement. Special attention is given to global frameworks, existing protocols, and how lessons from successful disaster responses can inform future strategies, particularly in resource-limited settings.
This review aims to assess the readiness of PEDs for disaster scenarios by identifying deficiencies and proposing strategies to enhance preparedness. It explores infrastructure requirements, workforce training, triage protocols, and mental health considerations specific to pediatric populations. Additionally, it assesses international frameworks and best practices to inform policy recommendations for strengthening pediatric-focused disaster response globally.
Pediatric disaster preparedness remains inadequate across global healthcare systems, particularly in resource-limited settings. While international protocols exist, their implementation varies widely, leaving gaps in staff training, resource allocation, and mental health support. Addressing these gaps requires a multi-faceted approach that includes enhanced training programs, improved resource allocation, and integration of mental health services into disaster protocols. By adopting evidence-based strategies and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, healthcare systems can develop more resilient and child-focused emergency response frameworks. Strengthening disaster preparedness in PEDs is essential to ensuring equal opportunities for care and effective treatment for children in times of crisis.
灾害，无论是自然灾害还是人为灾害，都给医疗系统带来了重大挑战，儿童是最脆弱的人群之一。儿科急诊科（PEDs）需要专门的方案来满足儿童独特的生理、心理和发育需求，以便对灾害做出充分响应。虽然存在国际灾害准备指南，但不同医疗环境之间仍存在显著差异，特别是在低资源地区，准备措施仍然不足。本综述考察了儿科灾害准备的现状，分析以往灾害的见解，以突出关键挑战、差距和改进机会。特别关注全球框架、现有方案，以及成功灾害应对的经验教训如何为未来战略提供参考，尤其是在资源有限的环境中。
本综述旨在通过识别不足并提出加强准备的策略，评估儿科急诊科对灾害情况的准备程度。它探讨了基础设施要求、工作人员培训、分诊方案以及针对儿科人群的心理健康考虑因素。此外，它评估国际框架和最佳实践，为加强全球以儿科为重点的灾害应对的政策建议提供参考。
全球医疗系统中儿科灾害准备仍然不足，特别是在资源有限的环境中。虽然存在国际方案，但其实施差异很大，在人员培训、资源分配和心理健康支持方面存在差距。解决这些差距需要采取多方面的方法，包括加强培训计划、改善资源分配以及将心理健康服务纳入灾害方案。通过采用循证策略并促进跨学科合作，医疗系统可以制定更具弹性和以儿童为重点的应急响应框架。加强儿科急诊科的灾害准备对于确保危机时期儿童获得平等的护理机会和有效治疗至关重要。
