Table of Contents
When does shaken baby syndrome symptoms start?
This syndrome is primarily seen in children younger than age two, with the majority of cases occurring before the baby’s first birthday. The average victim is between three and eight months old. However, children up to age four have been victims of this abuse.
What is the most common trigger for shaken baby syndrome?
Inconsolable or excessive crying is the most common trigger for shaking a baby.
Can shaken baby syndrome go unnoticed?
In fact, many of its signs and symptoms are not exclusive to SBS. They can go undetected or be confused with those of other health problems, such as minor falls, regurgitations, crying spells, or irritability.
Can a baby recover from shaken baby syndrome?
Many children affected by shaken baby syndrome die. Survivors of shaken baby syndrome may require lifelong medical care for conditions such as: Partial or total blindness. Developmental delays, learning problems or behavior issues.
Can a bumpy car ride cause shaken baby syndrome?
New parents are often anxious about inadvertently injuring baby, but for the most part you can relax. Jiggling baby while adjusting them in a carrier, seeing their head accidentally flop to the side as you pick them up or going over a bumpy road in the stroller or car seat won’t cause shaken baby syndrome.
Do shaken babies recover?
The prognosis for victims of shaken baby syndrome varies with the severity of injury but generally is poor. Many cases are fatal or lead to severe neurological deficits. Death is usually caused by uncontrollable increased intracranial pressure from cerebral edema, bleeding within the brain or tears in the brain tissue.
What are some long term effects of shaken baby syndrome?
Long-term effects of shaken baby syndrome include: Learning disabilities. Speech disabilities. Visual disabilities or blindness. Hearing impairment. Motor delays or dysfunction, including paralysis. Behavior disorders. Cognitive impairment.
What do you need to know about the shaken baby syndrome?
Shaken baby syndrome is brain injury caused by violent shaking. It is also called abusive head trauma. Intense shaking causes your baby’s brain to bleed, bruise, and swell. This leads to decreased oxygen to your baby’s brain. It may result in permanent, severe brain damage and can be life-threatening.
Is shaken baby syndrome a valid medical diagnosis?
Shaken baby syndrome has been a recognized diagnosis for several decades, though many medical professionals now prefer the term abusive head trauma. It is defined by a constellation of symptoms known as the triad: brain swelling, bleeding on the surface of the brain and bleeding behind the eyes.
What are characteristics of shaken baby syndrome?
Shaken baby syndrome is a form of child abuse that causes severe brain damage. It can result from as little as five seconds of shaking. Babies have soft brains and weak neck muscles. They also have delicate blood vessels. Shaking a baby or young child can cause their brain to repeatedly hit the inside of the skull.