The impacts of 2018 earthquakes to the pediatric population in North Lombok Field Hospital, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Melissa Ronaldi 1* , Ida Bagus Gde Suwibawa 1 , Kurniawan Taufiq Kadafi 2 , Nurhandini Eka Dewi 2 , Jaya Ariheryanto Effendi 2 , Aman B Pulungan 2 Department of Pediatrics, North Lombok General Hospital, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia Indonesia Pediatric Society, Indonesia Abstract Background: Three devastating earthquakes hit North Lombok within 28 days in 2018. The lack of disaster preparedness system in North Lombok contributes to the challenges in providing sufficient healthcare. This study aims to describe the disease that are diagnosed in the pediatric population at North Lombok Field Hospital during 28 days after the first earthquake. Method: The study uses prospective observational study of pediatric population presenting to a field hospital in North Lombok for a period of 28 days after the earthquake on August 5, 2018. Demographic and clinical information were prospectively recorded for all patients in a systematic emergency registry and nutritional status was assessed on weight for age. Results: Eight hundred and thirty-six children were admitted to the field hospital for 28 days. Children younger than six years old were the highest proportion (52%). From 836 children were male (54%) and had normal nutritional status (72%) and 96 children (11%) had severely wasting. Fifty-six children were diagnosed with physical trauma and four of them died from multiple trauma. In the first and second week, respiratory tract infection was found to be the most frequent to occur among the children. Meanwhile, gastrointestinal tract infection was identified to be the most frequent disease in the third and fourth week. This study found there is no correlation between age, sex, nutritional status and frequent disease in children after earthquake (q>0.005). Conclusion: Respiration and gastrointestinal tract infections are the most frequent-occurring diseases among children at North Lombok Field Hospital after earthquakes. Keywords: Earthquake, Children, Frequent-occurring diseases. Accepted on February 3rd, 2020 Introduction Indonesia ’ s geographical, geological, hydrological, and demographical conditions render the country prone to disasters caused by either natural factor, non-natural factor, or human factor which lead to casualties and environmental damage [1]. Indonesia is an archipelago located between four tectonic plates, i.e., Eurasian, Australian, Pacific and Philippine Sea plates [1]. Indonesia also lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire where earthquakes and volcano eruptions which often occur [1]. Indonesia has at least 130 active volcanoes. Indonesia has more than 5,000 big and small rivers with 30% of which pass through densely populated areas making them prone to floods, flash floods, and landslides during the rainy season [1]. In 2018, North Lombok was rocked by 3 major earthquakes which caused substantial damage and considerable casualties. The First devastating earthquake occurred with 6,4 Richter Scale (RS) in East Lombok which impacted 3 districts of North Lombok. The second and the biggest earthquake occurred in North Lombok on August 5, 2018 with 7 RS. This earthquake gave a huge impact in all districts of North Lombok. This study focused on the second earthquake until 28 days afterward. During our observation, there was the third devastating earthquake occurred in North Lombok with 6.9 RS on August 19, 2018. These earthquakes gave short-term and long-term impacts for the population of North Lombok. Short-term impacts cause a lot of injuries and soft tissue infections [2]. Furthermore, it increases the risk of infectious disease, damage to health care facilities and clean water supply system. Disasters increase the potential of infectious and non-infectious diseases. Outbreaks for several diseases that subsequently may occur include diarrhoea and dysentery and acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI). Environmental health and sanitation problems are also found in disastrous conditions [3]. Non- hygienic environmental, limited water supply and insufficient latrines contribute to the vulnerability to contracting a disease and, in some cases, may lead to death due to certain diseases in disaster victims [3]. In the wake of a disaster, health problems increase among the affected population, particularly the “vulnerable” group [3,4]. According Indonesia regulation regarding disaster Curr Pediatr Res 2020; 24 (1): 172-174 ISSN: 0971-9032 www.currentpediatrics.com Curr Pediatr Res 2020 Volume 24 Issue 1 172