Shaken Baby Syndrome

Humans are fragile beings. We can’t handle feeling hurt. When we hit our pinky on a corner, we scream in pain. Our tongue doesn’t feel the same for a few days when we drink something hot. These are how sensitive we are when we are all grown up. Imagine how much more sensitive we are when we have just come into the world. We are all fresh, soft, and easily injured. Babies are what I’m talking about.

Babies don’t have words. Their only way of communication is crying. They cry when they are hungry, sleepy, or dirty. It is the caregiver’s responsibility to take care of the need of the baby. Sometimes, when a baby does not stop crying, the caregiver may get frustrated and do something that will regret seconds later, such as shaking the baby violently. Even though it happens briefly, it causes enormous damage to the baby in an instant or in the future. The name of this particular occurrence is called a shaken baby syndrome, also known as abusive head trauma [1]. It is one of the most occurring cases of child abuse and death, but also one of the less known ones. It occurs when the baby is shaken back and forth severely. When a baby is shaken violently, the fragile brain inside the skull swings back and forth. Bruising, swelling, and bleeding result from this [2].

Figure 1: Brain injuries shown on the brain when the baby is shaken.

Results of Shaken Baby Syndrome

Even if shaken for a brief amount of time, it can cause irreversible damage to the baby or even cause death. In the United States alone, over 300 babies annually die from being shaken [3]. Infants don’t have neck strength, and their heads are large ratioed to the size of their bodies. This is why the baby’s head moves around much when it’s being shaken.

The newborn or child’s brain slides back and forth inside the skull as the head moves. This can cause bleeding and nerve damage by tearing blood vessels and nerves inside or around the brain [4].

The brain may hit against the inside of the skull, causing brain bruising and bleeding on the outside of the brain.

The pressure in the skull increases as the brain swells. This pressure makes it difficult for blood-carrying oxygen and nutrients to reach the brain, causing more damage [5].

 Other complications resulting from shaken baby syndrome can be listed:

  • Cerebral palsy
  • Paralysis
  • Vision loss or blindness
  • Mental retardation
  • Epilepsy
  • Seizures [6]

Preventing

The shaken baby syndrome is 100% preventable. There are a lot of ways to make the baby stop crying, such as rocking the baby, going on a walk in a stroller, calm music, and baby toys, but shaking, hitting, or throwing a baby is never the answer. It’s a temporary situation, but it’s a permanent result.

If you run out of options to stop the baby from crying and feel like hurting the child, asking for help is another option. You may call a friend, family or neighbor to babysit until you feel calm. It is okay to take breaks. If you don’t have anyone available, put the baby in its crib and leave the room. Crying won’t hurt the baby, but shaking will. Try to count to ten, then twenty, and count until you feel relaxed. Remind yourself that the baby is supposed to cry, and it is okay for you to feel frustrated.

If the baby has shaken, call emergency numbers as fast as possible or bring the baby to the nearest emergency room. This syndrome is preventable, but the baby has to be getting help as soon as possible because it is a syndrome that develops so quickly.

What is more, needed for this is awareness about the syndrome. Everyone, not only parents, should know about the syndrome and its outcomes and spread as much knowledge to people around you. Knowledge is always the best cure.

References:

  1. Joyce, T., Gossman, W., & Huecker, MR. (2018, May 16). Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. Retrieved May 22, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499836/ (Introduction, Section 1)
  2. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (NINDS). Shaken Baby Syndrome. Retrieved July 5, 2023, (23.00) from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Shaken-Baby-Syndrome-Information-Page (What is shaken baby syndrome? ,Section 1)
  3. Oklahoma State Department Of Health. Shaken Baby Syndrome. Health Department. Retrieved June 21, 2023, (13.57) from https://oklahoma.gov/health/health-education/children—family-health/improving-infant-outcomes/injury-prevention-for-babies/shaken-baby-syndrome.html#:~:text=Shaken%20baby%20syndrome%20(SBS)%20is,being%20shaken%20in%20the%20U.S (Section 1)
  4. _ApplicationFrame | Children’s Minnesota. (2021, June 17). Children’s Minnesota. Retrieved July 5, 2023,(23.27), from https://www.childrensmn.org/educationmaterials/parents/article/7959/abusive-head-trauma-shaken-baby-syndrome/ (How Does Abusive Head Trauma Happen? , Section 2)

5.Deutsch, S. A. (Ed.). (2021, March). Abusive head trauma (shaken baby syndrome) (for parents) – nemours kidshealth. KidsHealth. Retrieved June 21, 2023, (14.00), from https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/shaken.html  (How Does Abusive Head Trauma Happen? , Section 2)

  1. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Shaken baby syndrome. AANS. Retrieved July 5, 2023,(23.38), from https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Shaken-Baby-Syndrome (Prognosis, Section 2)

Figure References:

1.Preventing shaken baby syndrome – fairview. Retrieved from,   https://www.fairview.org/patient-education/88203

Inspector:Ayşenur DURU

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