Pretty self explanatory, "shaken baby syndrome" is when a child is shaken in a violent motion that causes death or serious injury to the brain. Typically a child will have retinal bleeding, brain bleeding and brain swelling (which typically does the most damage).
Babies with Shaken Baby syndrome often die from their injuries and it is a very serious medical condition. However, physicians can tell if a baby has been shaken - often from brain contusions or concussions, internal brain bleeding (hemorrhages), retinal hemorrhages (bleeding of the eyes). It is absolute physical abuse and suspicion should be immediately reported to medical professionals.
Shaken baby syndrome is a severe form of child abuse caused by violently shaking an infant or child.
Alternative NamesShaken impact syndrome; Whiplash - shaken infant
ConsiderationsShaken baby syndrome can occur from as little as 5 seconds of shaking.
Shaken baby injuries usually occur in children younger than 2 years old but may be seen in children up to the age of 5.
When an infant or toddler is shaken, the brain bounces back and forth against the skull. This can cause bruising of the brain (cerebral contusion), swelling, pressure, and bleeding in the brain. The large veins along the outside of the brain may tear, leading to further bleeding, swelling, and increased pressure. This can easily cause permanent brain damage or death.
Shaking an infant or small child may cause other injuries, such as damage to the neck, spine, and eyes.
CausesIn most cases, an angry parent or caregiver shakes the baby to punish or quiet the child. Such shaking usually takes place when the infant is crying inconsolably and the frustrated caregiver loses control. Many times the caregiver did not intend to harm the baby. Still, it is a form of child abuse.
Injuries are most likely to happen when the baby is shaken and then the baby's head hits something. Even hitting a soft object, such as a mattress or pillow, may be enough to injure newborns and small infants. Children's brains are softer, their neck muscles and ligaments are weak, and their heads are large and heavy in proportion to their bodies. The result is a type of whiplash, similar to what occurs in some auto accidents.
Shaken baby syndrome does not result from gentle bouncing, playful swinging or tossing the child in the air, or jogging with the child. It also is very unlikely to occur from accidents such as falling off chairs or down stairs, or accidentally being dropped from a caregiver's arms. Short falls may cause other types of head injuries, although these are often minor.
SymptomsThe symptoms can vary from mild to severe. They may include:
There may not be any physical signs of injury, such as bruising, bleeding, or swelling. In some cases, the condition can be difficult to diagnose and may not be identified during an office visit. However, rib fractures are common and can be seen on x-ray.
An eye doctor may find bleeding behind the baby's eye or retinal detachment. There are, however, other causes of bleeding behind the eye and they should be ruled out before diagnosing shaken baby syndrome. Other factors must be considered.
First AidCall 911 or your local emergency number. Immediate emergency treatment is necessary.
If the child stops breathing before emergency help arrives, begin CPR.
See: CPR in an infant under 1 year old
Steps to take if the child is vomiting:
Call your health care provider if a child has any of the above signs or symptoms, regardless of how severe they are. Also call if you think a child has shaken baby syndrome.
PreventionNo. The type of shaking in an earthquake is not the same as the type needed to cause shaken baby syndrome.
It is not shaking baby it is shaken baby.
Shaken baby syndrome was first described in medical literature in 1972
Shaken baby syndrome is also known as abusive head trauma, shaken brain trauma, pediatric traumatic brain injury , whiplash shaken infant syndrome, and shaken impact syndrome.
NO! That will kill it. It's called Shaken baby syndrome.
Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is a cluster of serious injuries that occurs when an infant or child is shaken violently. True
Alternative terms include: shaken baby; shaken baby syndrome; child abuse; and non-accidental trauma (NAT).
if your talking about babies, its shaken baby syndrome. Its where someone shakes a baby and the baby dies.
Ogden, Utah
"shaken baby syndrome" is when a baby is shaken in a violent motion that causes death or serious injury to the brain. Typically a child will have retinal bleeding, brain bleeding and brain swelling (which typically does the most damage).
Baby's effect on shaken baby syndrome (a syndrome a baby receives when a parent shakes their baby out of frustration, anger, or annoyance) can cause the baby awful brain damage that is very painful and stays with them their whole life, can cause the baby damage to their neck, and spinal cord, and if done excessively, can cause death to baby.
The cause of the brain, neck, and spine damage that can result from shaken baby syndrome is brute force. The violent shaking of a baby by a much stronger adult conveys a tremendous amount of energy to the infant.