Tragic Abuse: Shaken Baby Syndrome

Shaken Bay Syndrome (SBS) is the result of shaking or hitting the head of an infant or small child in a whiplash-like motion. It causes acceleration-deceleration injuries and can be fatal, or cause permanent neurological damage. Ten to 12 percent of child abuse deaths are attributed to SBS.

When retinal hemorrhages and subdural hematomas are found in a child there is an immediate referral to child protective services unless the caretaker's explanation is consistent with a two to three story fall or a 35 mile per hour unrestrained vehicle accident. If the caregiver says the injuries were the result of a short fall or another event less likely to result in death, and the physician thinks it improbable, it is likely to be deemed child abuse.

Brains Not Fully Developed

The brains of young children are not completely developed and suffer injury when shaken. The effects often do not show up until later, when the educational demands on the brain increase.

Less severe cases of SBS may not be seen by doctors and thus may never be diagnosed. Severe cases result in death or dramatic neurological consequences. In severe cases the child usually becomes unconscious and has a rapidly escalating and life-threatening central nervous system dysfunction.

Can Be Hard to Diagnose

Head injury to infants and toddlers can be hard to diagnose, contributing to the shaken baby syndrome controversy, because symptoms are often not specific to the injury. Vomiting, fever, irritability and lethargy are symptoms of many diseases in children. When caretakers do not provide a history of injury, or the victim cannot speak, a head injury can be misdiagnosed as something less serious.

Children who suffered SBS have a number of disabilities that have to be addressed in the educational setting. Developmental disabilities are severe, with chronic mental or physical disabilities, or both, occurring before the age of 22. Developmental disabilities usually occur indefinitely and limit a victim's participation in three or more of the following major life activities: self-care, mobility, language, learning, self-direction, independent living and economic self-sufficiency.

Parents of SBS children should contact their local school system and ask to have their child assessed. The assessment process should include a multidisciplinary team of professionals, observations by professionals who have had experience working with your child, an examination of your child's medical history and information and observations from the family.

Continue to: Suspected Signs of Shaken Baby Syndrome