what is the treatment of shaken baby syndrome

How can shaken baby syndrome be prevented?

• Be aware of new parents in your family and community who may need help or support.
• Offer to give a parent or caregiver a break when needed.
• Let the parent know that dealing with a crying baby can be very frustrating, but infant crying is normal and it will get better.

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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.

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.

Can a baby recover from being shaken?

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 happens when a baby gets shaken baby syndrome?

SBS is a serious head injury that occurs when an infant or toddler is severely or violently shaken. This shaking often leads to brain damage, hearing loss, blindness, speech or learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities or even death.

How do you give a baby shaken baby syndrome?

It happens when someone shakes a baby or hits the baby against something hard. Most cases happen when a parent or caregiver is angry, tired, or upset because a baby won't stop crying or the child can't do something they expect, like toilet train. These injuries can cause permanent brain damage or death.

Do babies recover from SBS?

Even brief shaking of an infant can cause irreversible brain damage. 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.

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 is SBS 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.

What happens if I accidentally shook my baby?

When a baby is shaken hard by the shoulders, arms, or legs, it can cause learning disabilities, behavior disorders, vision problems or blindness, hearing and speech issues, seizures, cerebral palsy, serious brain injury, and permanent disability.

How do I know if my baby has shaken baby syndrome?

A child or baby who has been shaken and has had an injury to the brain may have symptoms such as: Extreme irritability. Vomiting. Poor appetite or feeding problems.

What is a shaken baby?

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. Infants’ heads are very large and heavy in proportion to ...

Why is it so hard to diagnose shaken baby syndrome?

Diagnosing shaken baby syndrome (SBS) may be difficult for several reasons: Healthcare providers do not always get the truth about whether or not shaking was involved in an infant’s injury. Babies and very small children cannot tell doctors or nurses what happened or what hurts.

How old is most at risk for shaking baby syndrome?

Who is most at risk for shaken baby syndrome (SBS)? SBS happens most often in infants up to one year, with infants aged two to four months being most at risk. SBS does not usually happen after age two, but children as old as five or six can be damaged in this way if the shaking is extremely violent.

What is the most likely cause of shaking a baby?

People who are most likely to shake a baby have a direct connection to the baby (father or mother) or an indirect connection (babysitter, secondary family members), and are both male and female. Shaken baby syndrome can happen among families of any ethnicity, any income range and with any type of family composition.

What are the symptoms of a baby shaking?

A child or baby who has been shaken and has had an injury to the brain may have symptoms such as: Extreme irritability. Vomiting. Poor appetite or feeding problems. Breathing difficulties. Convulsions (seizures) Lethargy (extreme tiredness, lack of movement, inability to stay awake) Pale- or blue-colored skin.

What happens if a baby shakes?

Shaking a baby can result in serious injury or death. Caregivers can try giving the child a toy, or providing noise like music or vacuum cleaners, to soothe the infant. Appointments & Access. Contact Us. Overview. Symptoms and Causes. Diagnosis and Tests. Management and Treatment. Prevention.

Why do babies shake?

Parents or caregivers may shake a baby because it is crying for a long time, and they may think that shaking the baby will make him or her stop crying. Some parents or caregivers may be under stress for various reasons, and may become frustrated and unable to cope with the responsibilities of caring for a child.

What age does shaken baby syndrome occur?

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 baby’s eyes, spine, and neck. Shaken baby syndrome is more common in children under age 2, but it can affect children up to age 5.

What tests are used to diagnose shaken baby syndrome?

These tests may include: MRI scan, which uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain. Before confirming shaken baby syndrome, the doctor will order a blood test to rule out other potential causes. Some symptoms of shaken baby syndrome are similar to those of other conditions.

What happens if a baby shakes?

This type of injury is life threatening and can result in permanent brain damage.

Why do babies shake their heads?

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.

How to stop a baby from throwing up after being shaken?

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 there’s a spinal cord injury, this method of rolling reduces the risk of further damage to the spine.

How to help a baby with spinal injury?

Carefully put the baby on their back. If you suspect a spinal injury, it’s best if two people gently move the baby so the head and neck don’t twist. Set up your position. If your infant is under age 1, put two fingers on the middle of the breastbone.

Can you give a baby food if shaken?

It’s important that you don’t pick up the baby or give the baby food or water. 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.

What to do if a baby is shaken?

Emergency treatment for a baby who has been shaken usually includes life-sustaining measures, such as respiratory support and surgery, to stop internal bleeding and bleeding in the brain. Doctors may use brain scans, including MRI and CT scans, to make a more definite diagnosis.

What are the symptoms of shaken baby syndrome?

The characteristic injuries of shaken baby syndrome are subdural hemorrhages (bleeding in the brain), retinal hemorrhages (bleeding inside the eye), damage to the spinal cord and neck and fractures of the ribs and bones. These injuries may not be immediately noticeable. Symptoms of shaken baby syndrome include: 1 Breathing problems 2 Convulsions 3 Extreme irritability 4 Lethargy 5 Poor feeding 6 Vomiting and pale or bluish skin

How old do you have to be to have a shaken baby?

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 shaken baby syndrome may require lifelong medical care.

What happens if a baby shakes his head?

Shaking makes the fragile brain bounce back and forth inside the skull and causes bruising, swelling and bleeding, which can lead to permanent, severe brain damage or death.

How long does it take for a baby to feel shaken?

They may appear immediately after the shaking and usually reach a peak within 4-6 hours. The following signs and symptoms may indicate shaken baby syndrome: Altered level of consciousness. Drowsiness accompanied by irritability. Coma.

What happens when a baby shakes his head?

Severe shaking causes the baby’s head to move violently back and forth, resulting in serious and sometimes fatal brain injury. These forces are exaggerated if the shaking is interrupted by the baby’s head hitting a surface.

What injuries can be caused by a baby being thrown against a hard surface?

Other injuries related to this abuse include: Retinal hemorrhages ranging from a few scattered hemorrhages to extensive hemorrhages involving multiple layers of the retina. Skull fractures resulting from impact when the baby is thrown against a hard or soft surface.

What happens if a child stops breathing?

Further irreversible damage to the brain substance from the lack of oxygen if the child stops breathing during shaking. Further damage to the brain cells when injured nerve cells release chemicals that add to oxygen deprivation to the brain. Other injuries related to this abuse include:

What to do when a baby is crying?

Never leave a baby with a caregiver, friend or family member in whom there is not complete trust. Always check references carefully before entrusting a baby to a caregiver or daycare center.

Why does my baby shake?

It usually occurs when a parent or other caregiver shakes a baby out of anger or frustration, often because the baby will not stop crying. Babies have very weak neck muscles that cannot fully support their proportionately large heads.

Does AANS endorse any treatments?

Always check references carefully before entrusting a baby to a caregiver or daycare center. The AANS does not endorse any treatments, procedures, products or physicians referenced in these patient fact sheets. This information is provided as an educational service and is not intended to serve as medical advice.

What is shaken baby syndrome?

Shaken baby syndrome — also known as abusive head trauma, shaken impact syndrome, inflicted head injury or whiplash shake syndrome — is a serious brain injury resulting from forcefully shaking an infant or toddler. Shaken baby syndrome destroys a child's brain cells and prevents his or her brain from getting enough oxygen.

How to tell if a baby has shaken baby syndrome?

Symptoms. Shaken baby syndrome symptoms and signs include: You may not see any signs of physical injury to the child's outer body. Sometimes, the face is bruised. Injuries that might not be immediately seen include bleeding in the brain and eyes, spinal cord damage, and fractures of the ribs, skull, legs and other bones.

What is a shaken baby?

Shaken baby syndrome is a form of child abuse that can result in permanent brain damage or death. Shaken baby syndrome is preventable. Help is available for parents who are at risk of harming a child.

What does it mean when a child is shaken?

Many children with shaken baby syndrome show signs and symptoms of prior child abuse. In mild cases of shaken baby syndrome, a child may appear normal after being shaken, but over time he or she may develop health or behavioral problems.

Why does my toddler shake?

Shaken baby syndrome usually occurs when a parent or caregiver severely shakes a baby or toddler due to frustration or anger — often because the child won't stop crying. Shaken baby syndrome isn't usually caused by bouncing a child on your knee, minor falls or even rough play.

What to do when your baby is crying but can't be calmed?

When your crying baby can't be calmed, you may be tempted to try anything to get the tears to stop — but it's important to always treat your child gently. Nothing justifies shaking a child. If you're having trouble managing your emotions or the stress of parenthood, seek help.

Why do parents shake their babies?

The following things may make parents or caregivers more likely to forcefully shake a baby and cause shaken baby syndrome: Unrealistic expectations of babies. Young or single parenthood. Stress. Domestic violence. Alcohol or substance abuse. Unstable family situations. Depression.

How Is Shaken Baby Syndrome Defined?

Shaken baby syndrome occurs when a child is held by the shoulders or chest—or upside down by the legs or feet—and is shaken back and forth. This action causes the head to move quickly and forcefully away from the rest of the body in a "whiplash" motion.

How Prevalent is Shaken Baby Syndrome?

Shaken baby syndrome is more prevalent than you might expect. In the U.S., between 1,000 and 3,000 babies experience it each year. Tragically, about 1 in 4 victims of shaken baby syndrome die from their injuries, and up to 80% of them suffer long-term damage.

Why Does Shaken Baby Syndrome Happen?

Usually, shaken baby syndrome happens when a parent or caretaker feels pushed to a breaking point because of a crying baby and they take out their aggression on the baby. Babies cry very frequently, especially in their first few months.

What Are the Symptoms of Shaken Baby Syndrome?

There is a wide range of symptoms when it comes to shaken baby syndrome. Some symptoms happen immediately, and some may be slower to present and then progress to more worrying symptoms.

Does Shaken Baby Syndrome Cause Long-Term Damage?

Many cases of shaken baby syndrome cause immediate symptoms, often very serious in nature. Plus, babies who have experienced shaken baby syndrome may suffer the effects of what happened to them for years to come. That’s one of the most tragic aspects of the syndrome.

What Are the Treatment Options?

Treatment options will vary from one baby to another, depending on symptoms, says Dr. Shapiro. Plus, there is no cure for shaken baby syndrome.

What to Do If You Think You Might Shake Your Baby

It may be hard to understand, but in the majority of cases, the perpetrators of shaken baby syndrome are the baby's parents or caretakers. Of these, 65% to 90% of offenders are male. 1

What is a shaken baby?

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.

What to do if you think you might shake your baby?

Your baby is having trouble breathing or stops breathing completely. Your baby is very sleepy, is difficult to wake up, or will not wake up at all. Your baby has a seizure.

Why do you give contrast liquid to a baby?

Your baby may be given contrast liquid to help healthcare providers see the bleeding and swelling better. Tell the healthcare provider if your baby has ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid. Do not enter the MRI room with anything metal. Metal can cause serious injury.

How to help a baby who is upset?

Put the baby in a safe place and leave the room. Do not touch the baby if you are very upset or angry. Calm down. Call hotline numbers or a friend or family member for advice and support. Slowly count to 10 and take some deep breaths. Go back to your baby.

What is the best way to help a baby breathe?

Medicines may be given in your baby's IV to decrease brain swelling and prevent seizures. A ventilator is a machine to help your baby breathe if he or she has trouble breathing on his or her own. Surgery may be needed to place a shunt in your baby's head.

How to see the back of a baby's eye?

Ophthalmoscopy allows healthcare providers to see the back of your baby's eye. They may use eye drops to dilate the pupil. This helps them see the back of your baby's eyes clearly. CT or MRI pictures of your baby's head may show bleeding and swelling.

Why do babies shake?

The person may shake the baby out of frustration, in a desire to stop the baby from crying. This is considered child abuse, even if it is an accident. Shaken baby syndrome is most common in babies but can happen to children up to 5 years of age.

Overview

Symptoms

Epidemiology

Diagnosis

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...

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Prevention

Prognosis