Vietnamese and Cambodian orphans 1975--the first look. The initial medical screening and treatment at Clark Air Force Base

Abstract

In April of 1975, the United States government evacuated approximately 2,000 orphans from Vietnam and Cambodia. More than 1,500 orphans received initial medical evaluation and treatment at Clark Air Force Base, Republic of the Phillipines. The orphans underwent a minimum of 2 physician evaluations and were individually cared for by a volunteer. One hundred and six children were ill enough to require acute admission to the hospital. Four infants died while at Clark. No unusual tropical illnesses were diagnosed at Clark nor were any diseases identified that might represent a significant health hazard to the United States. The medical conditions found among these orphans appear to be similar to the problems found among the children of migrant farm workers in the United States.