This type of child abuse occurs when a baby is violently shaken, usually because he or she will not stop crying. Shaking a baby causes their brain to bounce back against their skull causing bruising, swelling and bleeding.

In simple terms, shaking a baby can lead to a severe head injury.

Devastating effects

The medical prognosis for babies who suffer this type of abuse is poor, with death being a very real possibility.

Most often the injuries include bleeding around the brain (subdural and subarachnoid haemorrhages) and bleeding behind the eyes (retinal haemorrhages). Disability, blindness and lifelong medical care for brain damage injuries are but some of the devastating effects of the syndrome.

Babies can also suffer spinal and neck injuries.

Babies who do not suffer from debilitating effects will still spend a considerable time in hospital and will need to re-learn everything that they had previously accomplished, such as sitting and crawling. Long term effects on these babies include possible learning difficulties and behavioural problems.

Silent symptoms

Shaken baby syndrome is referred to as silent abuse because although the effects take only five seconds to appear, the damage caused is not immediately recognised by parents and caregivers.

The following symptoms occur as a response to the increased pressure (caused by swelling and bleeding) on the brain:

• Vomiting
• Lethargy or decreased alertness
• Irritability
• Breathing difficulty
• Seizures

As the condition worsens, a baby’s skin tone will appear pale or blue and he or she may lose vision or consciousness.

While a baby will initially present with little to no physical damage, upon examination, broken and dislocated bones in the neck and spine can be identified.

Emergency treatment

Life sustaining measures are used to treat babies suffering from shaken baby syndrome. Surgery to relieve swelling and pressure is also a possibility.

Do you trust your baby’s caregiver?

While fingers cannot be pointed only in the direction of the caregiver, this type of abuse is caused often by those whom parents entrust to look after their baby or young child.

Be sure that you trust your baby’s caregiver and that he or she has a history of looking after babies well and kindly.

If your baby presents with any of the symptoms characteristic of shaken baby syndrome, seek emergency medical treatment.

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