The role of the United States Army active component pediatricians in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and provide comfort.

The professional activities and experiences of Army active component pediatricians deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Provide Comfort are reported. The 37 pediatricians who served in Southwest Asia were surveyed by a voluntary questionnaire. The survey revealed that Army pediatricians played an important role in these operations and in supporting the combat forces in Southwest Asia. They also played a critical role in caring for children displaced by the war and its aftermath in southern and northern Iraq. Pediatricians played an equally important role in continuing to provide care and support for the family members left behind in the United States and Europe.