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8320 Iowa Street, Downey, CA 90241
(562) 904-9590
SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME
What is Shaken Baby Syndrome?
Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)
is the medical
term used to describe the
violent shaking
and resulting injuries
sustained from shaking.
SBS occurs when a young
child's head is snapped
back and forth. It occurs
most frequently
in infants younger than
six months old, yet
can occur up to the age
of two. Often there
are no obvious outward
signs of injury. Yet,
inside injuries occur particularly
in the
head or behind the eyes.
In reality, shaking
a baby, if only for a few
seconds, can injure
the baby for life. Injuries
can include brain
swelling and damage, cerebral
palsy, mental
retardation, developmental
delays, blindness,
hearing loss, paralysis
and even death.
A baby's head and neck
are susceptible to
head trauma because their
muscles are not
fully developed and their
brain tissue is
exceptionally fragile.
Their small size further
adds to the risk of injury.
Vigorous shaking
can cause bleeding inside
of the head, pitching
the brain into different
directions. These
sudden motions can cause
the brain to pull
away, tearing brain cells
and blood vessels
in the process.
When a child is shaken
in anger and frustration,
the force is multiplied
five or ten times
more than it would be if
the child had simply
tripped and fallen.
How does it happen?
Often frustrated parents
or other persons
responsible for a child's
care feel that
shaking a baby is a harmless
way to make
a child stop crying. The
number one reason
a baby is shaken is because
of inconsolable
crying. Almost 25 percent
of all babies with
Shaken Baby Syndrome die.
It is estimated
that 25 - 50 percent of
parents and caretakers
aren't aware of the effects
of shaking a
baby.
How Can Shaken Baby Syndrome
be prevented?
Taking care of a child
can be very difficult
work. The most common reason
babies are shaken
is because parents become
angry, frustrated,
and lose their tempers.
Colic or constant
crying precipitates most
shaking. Just remember
that crying doesn't harm
a baby.
The most effective way
to prevent Shaken
Baby Syndrome is to educate
parents, care
providers, baby-sitters,
siblings, etc. on
the consequences of shaking
a baby. Here
are some non-violent ways
to stop a baby
from crying which may help
frustrated parents:
- NEVER throw or shake a baby
- Always provide support for the baby's head
and neck
- Count to 20 when you are angry or frustrated.
Take slow, deep breaths
- Don't pick the baby up until you feel calm
- Ask a friend to "take over" for
a while
- Call for help when you are upset
- Make sure the baby is fed, burped and dry
- Check for discomfort of diaper rash, teething
or fever
- Hug and cuddle the baby gently
- Call a health care provider
- If the baby cries for a long period of time,
he/she may need medical
attention
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