Shaking Baby Syndrome Research Papers
Abstract
Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is a type of child abuse that occurs when a child, most likely under the age of 1, is shaken so severely that is causes physical trauma. SBS can have extremely harmful consequences to the child. Many succumb to brain injuries, permanent disabilities, or even death. This type of abuse also has emotional effects on the children, leaving them at risk to develop emotional problems. There are many factors that lead to SBS, including characteristics of the infant, of the parent, and environmental factors. There are educational programs that focus on helping the parents to cope in order to reduce the instance of SBS.
Keywords: Shaken Baby Syndrome, Infant abuse, Abusive Head Trauma
Shaken Baby …show more content…
However, not much attention was paid to the harm that shaking a child caused until the late 1960’s (Fanconi & Lips 2010). During this time, researcher Ommaya discovered that moving the head at high speeds back and forth could cause damage to the brain, even without the head hitting any objects (Fanconi & Lips, 2010). This research was done on animals and was the first documentation that damage could happen by just the shaking motion. In 1971, neurosurgeon Guthkelch observed two infants that had subdural hematoma (brain bleeding), with no external signs of injury. Guthkelch concluded that the acceleration/deceleration motion could cause brain damage in infants, the first time it had been noted about humans (Fanconi & Lips, 2010). In 1972 John Caffey published the first study done on Shaken Baby Syndrome, shortly followed by several other studies supporting the evidence that shaking causes brain damage (Gill et al., 2009). In 2001, the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect acknowledged that SBS results from the acceleration of shaking (Gill et al, 2009). Today, ongoing research continues to support the credence that shaking a child is extremely
Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is a type of child abuse that occurs when a child, most likely under the age of 1, is shaken so severely that is causes physical trauma. SBS can have extremely harmful consequences to the child. Many succumb to brain injuries, permanent disabilities, or even death. This type of abuse also has emotional effects on the children, leaving them at risk to develop emotional problems. There are many factors that lead to SBS, including characteristics of the infant, of the parent, and environmental factors. There are educational programs that focus on helping the parents to cope in order to reduce the instance of SBS.
Keywords: Shaken Baby Syndrome, Infant abuse, Abusive Head Trauma
Shaken Baby …show more content…
However, not much attention was paid to the harm that shaking a child caused until the late 1960’s (Fanconi & Lips 2010). During this time, researcher Ommaya discovered that moving the head at high speeds back and forth could cause damage to the brain, even without the head hitting any objects (Fanconi & Lips, 2010). This research was done on animals and was the first documentation that damage could happen by just the shaking motion. In 1971, neurosurgeon Guthkelch observed two infants that had subdural hematoma (brain bleeding), with no external signs of injury. Guthkelch concluded that the acceleration/deceleration motion could cause brain damage in infants, the first time it had been noted about humans (Fanconi & Lips, 2010). In 1972 John Caffey published the first study done on Shaken Baby Syndrome, shortly followed by several other studies supporting the evidence that shaking causes brain damage (Gill et al., 2009). In 2001, the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect acknowledged that SBS results from the acceleration of shaking (Gill et al, 2009). Today, ongoing research continues to support the credence that shaking a child is extremely