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Child Abuse - Shaken Baby Syndrome
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Shaken baby syndrome is a form of child abuse that involves repeated shaking of a baby. The back and forth movement causes the brain to slam against the skull, resulting in a head injury.
What are the causes and risks of the injury?
In nearly all cases, shaken baby syndrome is caused by shaking the baby violently back and forth. A baby's head is much heavier than the rest of his or her body. The neck muscles are very weak. As the child develops, the neck muscles become stronger. Older children are better able to control the head so damage to the brain does not occur as easily.
Shaken baby syndrome can occur in all races, cultures, and socioeconomic groups. Males are more likely than females to be abusers. Males in their early 20's who are the baby's father or mother's significant other are often identified as the perpetrator. Females who cause shaken baby syndrome are more often child care providers, rather than the child's mother.
Symptoms & Signs
What are the signs and symptoms of the injury?
A victim of shaken baby syndrome may show any or all of the following signs and symptoms:
Diagnosis & Tests
How is the injury recognized?
The diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome is usually made by an eye exam. This exam is done by a healthcare professional who is skilled at viewing the eye. A child who has been shaken will have bleeding in the eyes.
The healthcare provider may also order a cranial CT scan or cranial MRI. These special X-ray tests may show damage to the brain, including bleeding and bruising.
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the injury?
Shaken baby syndrome usually occurs when a caregiver gets angry and loses control. Some steps to help avoid shaken baby syndrome include the following:
Anyone who suspects child abuse should contact local authorities immediately. If necessary, the child can be placed in protective custody away from the abusive situation.
Treatment & Monitoring
What are the treatments for the injury?
It is most important to remove the child from the abusive situation. This may require calling local authorities so that the child can be removed by the police or by healthcare officials.
If the child has stopped breathing, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, also called CPR, should be started. When performing first aid alone, a person should shout for help, then begin first aid. If possible, have someone call for medical assistance.
Once the child has been placed in a safe situation, a number of people will be involved in the care of the child. Care from doctors, nurses, and therapists will be necessary to treat damage to the eyes and brain.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
There are few side effects of treatment. Many people are afraid to notify the authorities if they suspect child abuse, which is the biggest risk to an infant who is being abused. If authorities are not notified in time, the child may suffer permanent disability or even die.
What happens after treatment for the injury?
There could be several long-term effects caused by brain and eye damage. These children will need long-term follow up for these injuries. Law enforcement will be involved if the abuser can be identified. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
Attribution
Author:James Broomfield, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Ballenberg, Sally, BS
Edit Date:03/30/01
Reviewer:Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:08/07/01