The Reality of Shaken Baby Syndrome No one likes to think about a child being hurt by an adult caregiver, but it does happen. In fact, Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is one of the leading causes of trauma death to Colorado children under the age of two. Educating parents and caregivers about the dangers of shaking a baby and providing alternatives for managing the frustrations they may feel when caring for a crying baby is key to prevention.
Remember, no matter how frustrated you may become, NEVER SHAKE A BABY.
- What is Shaken Baby Syndrome?
- What happens when a baby is shaken?
- Why would someone shake their baby?
- What are the signs and symptoms of Shaken Baby Syndrome?
- What should I do if I think my baby has been shaken?
- What can I do to prevent SBS?
What is Shaken Baby Syndrome?
Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is the diagnosis given to the many serious, and sometimes fatal, injuries and permanent disabilities that can occur when an infant or young child is violently shaken. Not only is it a serious type of head injury, it is a serious form of child abuse.
The baby's brain is very fragile. Babies' neck muscles are not strong, therefore when a baby is shaken, his head flops back and forth, causing the brain to slam against the inside of the skull. This causes the blood vessels to tear and blood to collect inside the baby's skull, causing irreparable damage to the brain.
Shaken Baby Syndrome occurs most frequently in infants younger than six months old, but children at old as three can receive severe injuries from shaking.
In America last year, over 1,200 children were treated for SBS. Of these tiny victims, 20% died as a result of their injuries. The rest may have lifelong complications.
top
What happens when a baby is shaken?
Shaking a baby causes severe injury to the baby's fragile brain. In fact:
* 20% of shaken babies die
* 80% of shaken babies may have serious injuries and long-term disabilities including:
|
Why would someone shake their baby?
Shaken Baby Syndrome can happen when a parent or caregiver gets frustrated and loses control, even just for a moment. This often happens when the baby gets fussy and cries for extended periods of time.
The number one reason given for shaking a child is "I just wanted the baby to stop crying." Shaking usually occurs when parents, babysitters or other caregivers become frustrated and loses control because of persistent crying.
For tips on calming a crying baby see consoling a crying baby
top
What are the signs and symptoms of Shaken Baby Syndrome?
A victim of Shaken Baby Syndrome may show one or all of the following signs and symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Poor sucking or swallowing
- Poor Feeding/Eating
- Vomiting
- Pale or blush skin
- Extreme irritability
- No smiling or vocalization
- Seizures
- Lethargy or semi-consciousness (difficulty staying awake)
- Rigidity
- Inability to lift head
- Tremors (shakiness)
What should I do if I think my baby has been shaken?
Get immediate medical attention for your baby if you or a caregiver has shaken your baby, or if you suspect that your baby has been shaken. Call 911, call your child's doctor, or take your baby to the nearest emergency department.
If you baby's brain is damaged or bleeding from severe shaking, it will only get worse without medical treatment. Immediate treatment may save your child's life and prevent serious permanent damage and health problems from developing.
Tell medical personnel that you think or know that the baby has been shaken. A doctor who is not aware that a child has been shaken may assume the baby is vomiting or having trouble breathing because of an illness. Mild symptoms of shaken baby syndrome are similar to symptoms of infant colic, feeding problems and fussiness. The physician should have complete information so that he or she can treat your child properly. Without this knowledge, the doctor may spend precious time looking for other causes of illness.
Many incidents of Shaken Baby Syndrome are not reported out of fear. Don't let embarrassment, guilt or fear get in the way of your child's health or life.
top
The Reality of Shaken Baby Syndrome