Description

Shaken baby syndrome is a serious brain injury that results from the force to shake a baby or a small child. Also known as abusive head trauma, shaken impact syndrome, inflicted head injury or whiplash shaken infant syndrome.

Shaken baby syndrome can damage or destroy the brain of a child of the cells. This form of child abuse can cause permanent brain damage or death.

Shaken baby syndrome is preventable. Help is available for parents who are at risk of harming a child. Parents can also teach other caregivers about the dangers of shaken baby syndrome.

Symptoms

The symptoms of shaken baby syndrome may include:

  • Extreme agitation or irritability.
  • Difficulty staying awake.
  • Breathing problems.
  • Good to eat.
  • Vomiting.
  • Paleness or discoloration of the skin.
  • Seizures.
  • The paralysis.
  • State of Coma.

While sometimes a child may have bruising on the face, can not see the signs of physical damage to the child's body outside. The lesions may not be seen immediately include:

  • Bleeding in the brain and the eyes.
  • Damage to the spinal cord.
  • Fractures of the ribs, skull, legs and other bones.

Children with shaken baby syndrome often show symptoms of prior child abuse.

In mild cases of shaken baby syndrome, children can appear to ACCEPT after being shaken. But you can develop health or behavior problems over time.

When to see a doctor

Seek help immediately if you suspect that your child has been injured by a violent jolt. Call 911 or your local emergency number or take your child to the nearest emergency room. Get immediate medical attention can save your child's life or prevent serious health problems.

Health professionals are legally obligated to report all suspected cases of child abuse to the authorities of the state.

Causes

Babies have weak neck muscles and can't bear the weight of their heads. If a baby is shaken with force, their brain moves back and forth inside the skull. This causes bruising, swelling and bleeding.

Shaken baby syndrome usually occurs when a parent or caregiver severely shakes a baby or small child because of the frustration or anger. Often it happens because the child will not stop crying.

Shaken baby syndrome is not caused by the rebound of a child on the knee or lower falls.

Risk factors

These things can increase the risk of parents or caregivers can forcefully shaking a baby and cause the shaken baby syndrome:

  • Having unrealistic expectations of the babies.
  • Having a baby is crying uncontrollably.
  • Having a baby born prematurely or with medical needs.
  • Being a young person or a single parent.
  • Stress.
  • The domestic violence.
  • Alcohol or substance abuse.
  • Unstable family situations.
  • Depression.
  • A history of abuse as a child.

Also, men are more likely to severely shake a baby hard enough to cause the shaken baby syndrome than women.

Complications

Even a brief jolt of a baby can cause brain damage that can not be reversed. Many of the children affected by shaken baby syndrome die.

The children who survive the shaken baby syndrome may require a lifetime of medical care for conditions such as:

  • Partial or total blindness.
  • Delay in the development.
  • Learning and behavioural problems.
  • Seizures or epilepsy.
  • Cerebral palsy, a disorder that affects movement and muscle coordination.

Prevention

New parent education classes can help parents to better understand the dangers of violent shaking. The classes can also provide tips to soothe a crying baby, and managing stress.

When your baby's crying can't be calmed down, you may be tempted to try anything to get the tears to stop. But it is important to always treat your child gently. Nothing justifies shaking a child.

If you are having trouble controlling their emotions, or the stress of parenting, seek help. Your child's healthcare provider can offer a referral to a counselor or other mental health professional.

If you have others to help take care of your child, make sure they know the dangers of shaken baby syndrome. These people might include a hired caregiver, sibling or grandparent.

Diagnosis

A child who has been struck with strength needs to be seen by different medical specialists, as well as an expert on child abuse.

Health professionals examine the child and ask questions about the medical history of the child. Several tests may be needed to check for injuries, including:

  • Skeleton of the survey. Several X-rays of the bones can be used to determine if fractures are accidental or intentional. X-rays may be taken of the arms, hands, legs, feet, spine, ribs, and skull. These tests can also help find previous fractures.
  • Examination of the eyes. An eye exam can reveal the bleeding in the eye, and other eye injuries.
  • Blood tests. Some metabolic and genetic conditions, as well as bleeding and coagulation conditions, can cause symptoms similar to shaken baby syndrome. Blood tests may help rule out some of these conditions.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging. The mri uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of a child's brain and spine. You can show brain bruising, bleeding, and signs of decreased oxygen. Because an mri is difficult to perform in a child that is unstable, it is usually 2 to 3 days after the injury.
  • Computed tomography. A ct scan uses X-ray images to provide cross-sectional images of the body. A brain scan can help detect injuries that require urgent treatment. An exploration of the abdomen may also be done to determine if there are other injuries.

Depending on the extent of the injuries, the baby may need to be monitored in a pediatric intensive care unit.

Treatment

Emergency treatment for a child who has been shaken may include breathing support, and surgery to stop the bleeding in the brain. Some children may require the use of medications to reduce the swelling of the brain and prevent seizures.

Symptoms and treatment of Shaken baby syndrome