Child Abuse - Shaken Baby Syndrome

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.