What are the first signs of shaken baby syndrome?
What are the first signs of shaken baby syndrome?
- Extreme fussiness or irritability.
- Difficulty staying awake.
- Breathing problems.
- Poor eating.
- Vomiting.
- Pale or bluish skin.
- Seizures.
- Paralysis.
Can a baby recover shaking baby syndrome?
The majority of infants who survive severe shaking will have some form of neurological or mental disability, such as cerebral palsy or mental retardation, which may not be fully apparent before six years of age. Children with SBS may require lifelong medical care.
What shaken baby syndrome and what happens?
Shaken baby syndrome is a serious brain injury that happens to a baby or young child when it’s shaken with force. The impact kills the baby’s brain cells and keeps oxygen from getting to their brain. Shaken baby syndrome is a form of child abuse.
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.
How do doctors treat shaken baby syndrome?
Emergency treatment for a child who has been shaken may include breathing support and surgery to stop bleeding in the brain. Some children may require medications to reduce brain swelling and prevent seizures.
What damage can be done to a baby if they are shaken?
Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is a type of brain injury that occurs when a baby or a toddler is shaken violently. This causes swelling, bruising and bleeding in the brain. The child may be further injured if he or she is thrown down onto a surface, which is known as shaken impact syndrome.
What happens when a baby gets shaken baby syndrome?
When an infant or toddler is shaken, the brain bounces back and forth against the skull. This can cause bruising of the brain (cerebral contusion), swelling, pressure, and bleeding in the brain. The large veins along the outside of the brain may tear, leading to further bleeding, swelling, and increased pressure.
Do babies with shaken baby syndrome survive?
Shaking a baby is a very dangerous form of child abuse. One in four children who is shaken dies from their injuries. Of babies who survive, approximately 80 percent suffer from some sort of permanent damage.
Can shaken baby syndrome be cured?
There's no medication to treat shaken baby syndrome. In severe cases, surgery may be required to treat bleeding in the brain. This may involve placement of a shunt, or thin tube, to relieve pressure or to drain excess blood and fluid.
Can a baby recover from brain damage?
Can an Infant Recover from Brain Damage? For mild cases of brain damage at birth, the prognosis is favorable. Fortunately, most cases are mild, and children recover well with minimal or no complications.
How do I know if my baby has brain damage?
The baby may exhibit tremors or muscle spasms or even develop paralysis in certain parts of the body. Extreme fatigue can also be a sign of brain damage. As a baby grows, brain damage may cause delayed physical development. A baby may be slow to crawl, sit up, stand up, and walk.
How is shaken baby syndrome diagnosed?
Doctors may use brain scans, such as MRI and CT, to make a more definite diagnosis. In comparison with accidental traumatic brain injury in infants, shaken baby injuries have a much worse prognosis. Damage to the retina of the eye can cause blindness.
Can shaking a baby cause brain damage?
Babies have very weak neck muscles that cannot fully support their proportionately large heads. Severe shaking causes the baby's head to move violently back and forth, resulting in serious and sometimes fatal brain injury.
How can SBS be prevented?
What can I do to prevent SBS from happening to my child? The most important thing is to make sure that every person who cares for your child knows to never, ever shake a baby. Talk to your family, friends, and babysitters about the dangers of SBS.
Who is most likely to shake a baby?
Canadian research has shown that the babies who are shaken are most often male and under six months of age. The research also identified biological fathers, stepfathers and male partners of biological mothers as more likely to shake an infant. Female babysitters and biological mothers are also known to shake babies.
What happens if baby neck falls back?
As your baby grows, the bones of their skull will meet and fuse, and the soft spots will close, at the back of the head first (at around six weeks), and the front much later (at around 18 months). While bumps to the soft spots should be avoided, they are unlikely to cause serious injury.
Overview
Symptoms
- 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. This impact can trigger bruising in the brain, bleeding in the brain, and brain swelling. Other injuries may include broken bones as well as damage to the babys eyes, spine, and neck. Symptoms of shaken baby …
Epidemiology
- Shaken baby syndrome is more common in children under age 2, but it can affect children up to age 5. Most cases of shaken baby syndrome occur among infants that are 6 to 8 weeks old, which is when babies tend to cry the most.
Diagnosis
- To make a diagnosis, the doctor will look for the three conditions that often indicate shaken baby syndrome. These are: The doctor will order a variety of tests to check for signs of brain damage and to help confirm the diagnosis. These tests may include: Before confirming shaken baby syndrome, the doctor will order a blood test to rule out other potential causes. Some symptoms …
Treatment
- Call 911 immediately if you suspect your child has shaken baby syndrome. Some babies will stop breathing after being shaken. If this occurs, CPR can keep your baby breathing while you wait for medical personnel to arrive. Theres no medication to treat shaken baby syndrome. In severe cases, surgery may be required to treat bleeding in the brain. Thi...
Prevention
- In some cases, the baby may vomit after being shaken. To prevent choking, gently roll the baby onto their side. Make sure to roll their entire body at the same time. If theres a spinal cord injury, this method of rolling reduces the risk of further damage to the spine. Its important that you dont pick up the baby or give the baby food or water. Shaken baby syndrome is preventable. You can …
Prognosis
- Irreversible brain damage from shaken baby syndrome can occur in a matter of seconds. Many babies experience complications, including: