The effect of the Gulf crisis on the children of Iraq

Article Abstract:

The health consequences of a succession of events are outlined for the people of Iraq, beginning with the invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990 and ending with a devastating six-week war and massive internal uprisings in Iraq. This report focuses on the effects of high-technology warfare on children younger than five, the most vulnerable and innocent segment of the population. Members of a 10-person team visited 11 major cities and towns in Iraq between April 27 and May 6, 1991. Health centers, hospitals, electrical generating plants, and water- and sewage-treatment plants were inspected. Before the Gulf crisis, Iraq depended on electrical power and imported food. Because 13 of the country's 20 power-generating plants were destroyed early in the war, and 5 more were destroyed by the war's end, water purification essentially ceased. Sewage treatment plants were unable to operate, and this contributed to the contamination of the water supply. The rates of water-borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and severe gastroenteritis climbed to alarmingly high levels. These diseases are now epidemics and the existing medical facilities can not treat all the children those who require care. Severe malnutrition was omnipresent among hospitalized pediatric patients. Infant formula was scarce and cost as much as $36 for a 450-gram can. Hospital mortality rates had risen by factors of two or three. Bombing and civil uprisings destroyed 20 hospitals and 38 health centers; many remained closed or only partially operative. Most health facilities had problems with electricity, sanitation, and water. Drugs were in short supply. The suffering of Iraq's children has reached tragic proportions. Children are dying of preventable diseases and starvation. The destruction of electrical capacity has been the most damaging single effect. Modern military technology can inflict not only direct damage on civilians, but longer-lasting indirect damage to the country's infrastructure. The economic sanctions against Iraq are preventing the importation of necessary goods and medicines. Stronger efforts must be made by Iraq and the international community to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Cholera, Typhoid fever, Gastroenteritis, Gastroenteritis in children, Pediatric gastroenterology, Iraq-Kuwait Crisis, 1990-1991, Communicable diseases in children, Pediatric communicable diseases

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Effect of the Gulf war on infant and child mortality in Iraq

Article Abstract:

The Persian Gulf War and the United Nations' (UN) economic sanctions against Iraq may have increased the number of deaths among young Iraqi children significantly. The UN's economic sanctions prohibited international trade with Iraq after the invasion of Kuwait in Aug 1990. A survey of 16,076 Iraqi children between Jan 1, 1985 and Aug 31, 1991 found that 768 died during this period. The number of deaths among children after the war began was approximately three times higher than before the war. The number of deaths was highest among infants between one and 12 months of age and among children between 12 and 60 months of age. The increase in the number of deaths among young children was higher in northern and southern Iraq than in central Iraq or Baghdad. Diarrhea, from poor quality and insufficient food and water, and war-associated injuries may be the main causes of increased childhood mortality in Iraq.

Patient outcomes, Children, Infants, Infant mortality, Persian Gulf War, 1991

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Estimating excess mortality in post-invasion Iraq

Article Abstract:

The difficulties and problems encountered with accuracy in epidemiologic methods for estimating mortality in post-invasion Iraq are discussed.

Public affairs, Iraq, Social aspects, Causes of, Iraq War, 2003-

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