Each year more than 50,000 American children are forcefully shaken by their caretakers. Powerful or violent acts of shaking may lead to serious brain damage - a condition called "Shaken Baby Syndrome" (SBS). The American Academy of Pediatrics considers SBS to be a clear and serious form of child abuse. SBS often involves children younger than two years but may be seen in children up to 5 years of age.What is Shaken Baby Syndrome?
The term "Shaken Baby Syndrome" is used for the internal head injuries a baby or young child sustains from being violently shaken. Babies and young children have very weak neck muscles to control their heavy heads. If shaken, their heads wobble rapidly back and forth, which can result in the brain being bruised from banging against the skull wall.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Signs of SBS may very from mild and nonspecific to severe. Although there may be no obvious external signs of injury following shaking, the child may suffer internal injuries. Shaking can cause brain damage, blindness, deafness, learning problems, retardation, cerebral palsy, seizures, speech difficulties and even death.
Damage from shaking may not be noticeable for years. It could show up when the child goes to school and is not able to keep up with his classmates.
Address the causes of crying to reduce stress
Caregivers and parents can become exhausted and angry when a baby cries incessantly.
If a young child in your care cries a lot, try the following:- Make sure all of the baby’s basic needs are met.
- Feed the baby slowly and burp the baby often.
- Offer the baby a pacifier, if supplied by parents.
- Hold the baby against your chest and walk or rock him.
- Sing to the baby or play soft music.
- Take the baby for a ride in a stroller or car.
- Be patient. If you cannot calmly care for the baby or are having trouble controlling your anger, take a break. Ask someone else to care for the baby or put him in a safe place to cry it out.
Tips for SBS Prevention- Never shake a baby - not in anger, impatience, play, or for any other reason.
- Avoid tossing small children into the air.
Article adapted from Rahman Zamani, MD, MPH