Background : Tropical cyclones are the worst enemy of the state (Geographic situation, dense population in coastal belt along with poor housing is major causes of increased mortality and morbidity due to these cyclones). Out of these cyclones ‘super cyclone 1999’ and ‘phailin 2013’ had deadliest and most devastating effect on coastal odisha. The objectives of this study was to observe, record, compare and enumerate the effect of ‘cyclone phailin’ on the pediatric group age of south odisha where it had maximum impact.
Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken using data on the impact of cyclones that was compiled from previous hospital admission records. Two groups were made according to admission rates one month before phailin (n=624) and after phailin (n=636) in the department of pediatrics, MKCG Medical College, Berhampur. The statistical analysis was done using SPSS software.
Conclusions: The incidence of infections, poisonings is much increased in the post phailin period. Infections like malaria and acute gastroenteritis are seen in high number, but the incidence of pneumonia was low. There was significantly high number of cases with kerosene poisoning along with emergence of carbon monoxide poisoning. There was increased mortality due to sepsis.
