Suspected Signs of Shaken Baby Syndrome

The incidence of child abuse in the United States is estimated at 2 million cases a year, of which 1,800 are shaken babies. The prognosis of SBS is poor. Shaken baby syndrome statistics show 29 percent of incidents are fatal and 20 percent of survivors have substantial loss of vision. Non-reactive pupils correlate highly with mortality and SBS survivors often suffer permanent mental impairment.

Resulting disabilities may include seizures, learning problems, speech problems, cerebral palsy and visual impairment. Approximately half of SBS victims who survive suffer permanent neurological injury and less than 10 percent escape with no ongoing symptoms.

All Walks of Life Included

Non-accidental head injury is not confined to any social, ethnic or occupational boundaries. Common risk factors include a young or unmarried parent, cohabitation, previous child or domestic abuse, alcohol or drug abuse, mental health problems, the birth of a premature infant, and multiple previous medical consultations or hospital admissions.

Caregivers must be aware of the potential dangers of shaking an infant or child and must learn to keep their anger under control. Shaken baby syndrome causes often include excessive crying as the trigger that leads to the violent episode.

There are numerous websites on the topic of SBS. For further information refer to www.dontshake.com, www.sbsdefense.com, www.shakenbaby.com, and www.behindthemedicalheadlines.com/ articles/shaken_baby.shtml among the many available.

If you know or strongly suspect an infant or toddler is being shaken you should call child protective services and report what you know. Despite the shaken baby syndrome controversy, it is better to err on the side of the baby rather than worry about a false shaken baby syndrome defense.