Prevention and treatment of traumatic brain injury due to rapid-onset natural disasters

• Main Authors: James L. Regens (Author), Nick eMould (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A., 2014-04-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2296-2565; 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00028
• Keywords: Traumatic Brain Injury; TBI; Treatment; prevention; rapid-onset natural disasters; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: Frontiers in Public Health, Vol 2 (2014)

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.