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Shaken Baby Syndrome
Author: Stef Daniel
Shaken baby syndrome, also dubbed Abusive Head Trauma (AHT), or SBS is the leading cause of death in infant child abuse cases in the United States. It occurs because the development of an infant’s brain is such that when they are vigorously shaken their brain is actually tossed around inside their head. Unlike older children and adults, infants brains are smaller than their skull and the pressure of being shaken can cause blood vessels to rupture, brain bruising and bleeding, and eventually swelling that leads to death. Sadly, it most often occurs as a result of caregivers who are frustrated with the infant. Although it sounds unreasonable to most people, SBS kills thousands of children under the age of 1 year old each year. Most of the perpetrators did not mean to inflict harm or kill the child and simply lost control in seconds, which can do irreparable damage. In 60% of the cases in the United States, children killed from SBS are in the hands of other caregivers (besides the mother) and most perpetrators are male.
So why is this important to you? After all, you would never shake your baby or leave them in the hands of someone who would. Unfortunately, that is what most people think. However, the crying of an infant can be too much to bear for some people, especially if they are caring for him or her on their own. And often, mothers who shake their babies are ravished with post partum depression (PPD) and feel like they have nowhere to turn with their feelings. They do not ‘mean’ to kill their child, but are overwhelmed with the circumstances and worry that revealing their emotions will cause someone to take their baby away from them.
First of all, as a mother it is important to know when you have had enough. Every mom feels overwhelmed at times with a newborn, especially if they are colicky or generally fussy. Exhaustion sets in and in one instant, you can become over shadowed with frustration. Instead, take breaks and enlist the help of people that you love and trust. Often in cases of PPD, mothers feel guilty about their emotional state and try to be ‘super mom’ proving that they love their baby by never leaving his or her side. If this is you, then rather than leave the house – have someone come in and sit with you while you take a nap or get other things done.
You also need to make sure that you ONLY leave your baby in capable hands. Choosing the teen down the street or a boyfriend that has little patience is not a good choice. Chances are you know the temperament of the people in your life. Ask yourself, how will they react if and when my baby cries? If you feel like you are being over cautious, it is because YOU are, and you only have one chance to do so.
Shaken baby syndrome is rarely dubbed an accident. It takes an active and conscious choice to shake a baby to inflict the kind of damage that can lead to brain swelling. The signs of a baby that have been shaken range from mild to severe and are as follows:
Warning Signs of Shaken Baby Syndrome (These are present in babies that may have been handled too roughly during care and can lead to death if left untreated. If you notice these symptoms, you should have your baby seen at the ER immediately)
- Seizures
- Lethargy, failure to eat
- Vomiting
- Pale or blush skin
- Cardiopulmonary Arrest
- Failure to gain weight or thrive
- Irritability
Symptoms of Shaken Baby Syndrome (These symptoms often result in subsequent death)
- Inability to turn or life the head
- Unresponsive
- Blood in eyes
- Bulging fontanels or soft forehead
- Unable to suck or swallow
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures or spasms
- Unable to make noise
Bouncing your baby on your knee, rocking them, or gently swaying them will not cause shaken baby syndrome. In fact, in most cases there is excessive force behind the act of shaken baby syndrome, often followed by a blunt trauma like the baby being dropped in the crib. The issue is serious. Mothers need to know that it is okay to seek help and that it is normal to feel frustrated, discouraged, and emotional after birth, especially if they have post partum depression. There are avenues of assistance. It is also vital for parents to realize the importance of finding caring, loving, and patient caregivers for their child. If you suspect your baby has been shaken – do not delay in seeking help.
