Helping Mothers Have Healthy Babies
By Francine Tucker
Head trauma is the leading cause of death in child
abuse cases in the United States.
What is Shaken Baby Syndrome?
Shaken Baby Syndrome is a form of inflected head
trauma. Unlike other forms of inflicted head trauma, it results from injuries
caused by someone vigorously shaking an infant.
What are the Effects?
Shaken Baby Syndrome often causes irreversible
damage. In the worst cases the death rate is almost half of all babies involved.
Children who survive may have: Partial or total blindness; Hearing Loss;
Seizures; Developmental delays; Speech and learning difficulties; Problems with
memory and attention; and Severe mental retardation.
When Does Shaking Baby Occur?
It usually occurs when a baby is crying for long
periods of time and the caretakers’ patience has run out. However, Shaken Baby
Syndrome is 100% preventable. If a baby won’t stop crying, try the following:
Make sure the baby is not hungry or wet; check for signs of illness, like a
fever or swollen gums; rock or walk the baby, sing or talk to the baby; offer a
pacifier or a noisy toy; take the baby for a ride in a stroller; hold the baby
close against your body and breathe calmly and slowly; call a friend or relative
for support or to care for the baby while you take a break; or call your child’s
doctor in case there is a medical reason your baby is fussy.
Healthy Start’s
Early Childhood Development staff
incorporate education on Shaken Baby Syndrome into parenting classes, home
visits, and parent orientation sessions.
This information was adapted from Kids Healthy;
Nemours Foundation 1995-2007 by Francine Tucker, Healthy Start, Early Childhood
Development Specialist.
