Shaken Baby Syndrome

This paper will cover a type of abuse known as Shaken Baby Syndrome. Shaken baby syndrome is a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality which is widely recognized in the medical literature. Signs may include retinal hemorrhage, subdural or subarachnoid hemorrhage, and associated fractures. Victims are often younger than 6 months old and have been affected by violent shaking with rapid angular deceleration and possible terminal impact. In this paper I will discuss the symptoms, prevalence, treatment and research of Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Imagine that you are a sweet, innocent, precious little baby. Babies are totally dependent upon adults to give them what they need and most importantly love. Your only means of communication
This type of injury results when a person forcefully shakes and infant or a toddler. Shaken baby syndrome also has different names. Some of these names include: abusive head trauma, inflicted head injury, and whiplash shake syndrome. This type of injury is a big cause of infant mortality. It is so severe that it can even destroy a child’s brain cells and prevents his or her brain from getting oxygen. Shaken Baby Syndrome is a form of child abuse which may lead to permanent damage or even
Shaking them violently can trigger “whiplash” that can lead to internal injuries. Injuries that included: bleeding in the brain or in the eyes. Often times there are no obvious external physical signs of trauma such as bruising or bleeding. The perpetrator of the abuse is most often the father, boyfriend of the mother, female babysitter, or the mother. Parents experiencing stress as a result of environmental, social, biological, or financial situations may be more prone to impulsive and violent behavior. Those involved with domestic violence and/or substance abuse may be at higher risk of inflicting this abuse. Children with special needs, multiple siblings, colic, or GERD tend to have a higher risk of shaken baby syndrome. Boys are more likely than girls to be victims. Families that live in poverty are also at high risk of suffering from this type of abuse. The perpetrator becomes so frustrated that they just lose control and just start shaking them. Most often they are just average people who lose their temper in the heat of the moment and lose control. Many of those who are charged with shaking a child have no previous history of any type of violence. According to the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome estimates that there are between 600 and 1400 cases in the US each year (AAONS, 2005). Currently there is not a reliable method of collecting these statistics. This syndrome is the most