ShakenBabySyndrome

(SBS)By Edithce Zambrano

WhatisIt?

It is a head or neck injury which can happen when an infant or a young child is shaken.

WhatHappens,WhyBabies?

O Large heavy heads.

O Weak neck muscles.

O Fragile central nervous system.

SBSCanOccurfromasLittleas5SecondsofShaking.

ThisCanResultin:

Some symptoms can include Lethargy

Decreased appetite

Grab-type bruises on the arms Poor sucking or swallowing

Rigidity or posturing

More serious injuries are

Difficulty breathing

Seizures

Inability to suck or swallow

Inability to lift head

Inability of eyes to focus or track movement

ThisCanResultin:

Other symptoms may include Changes in behavior

Irritability

Loss of consciousness

Pale or bluish skin

Vomiting and convulsions

Very serious injuries are

Physical signs of trauma

Broken, injured, or dislocated bones

Injuries to the neck and spine.

Eye damage

WhyareBabiesShaken?O Unrealistic expectations of babies.

O Young or single parenthood.

O Stress and frustration.

O Domestic violence.

O Alcohol or substance abuse. O Unstable family situations. O Depression. O A history of mistreatment as a child.

UniquenessofSBSO Usually done in private.

O No witnesses.

O Motive exists in the mind of the prep.

O ‘Murder’ weapon is the hands.

O Subtle presentation in the E.R may lead to mis-diagnosis or missed-diagnosis.

ProfileofAbusers/Perps

O 70+% males; fathers / uncles / boyfriend of mother / etc.

O Average age 22 yrs. O 60+% babies

shaken are male. O Day care providers:

licensed and unlicensed.

Whatcanyoudotopreventatragedy?

O Whenyouarefrustrated,taketimetocalmyourselffirst.O Takeafewslow,deepbreaths.

O Sitdown,closeyoureyesandcountto20.O Takeyourbabyforastrollerride.O Playmusicorsingtoyourbaby.

O Askafriendtostaywithyourbabyforawhile.O Makesureyourbabyisfed,burpedanddry.

O Gentlyrockorwalkyourbaby.O Checkfordiscomfort,diaperrash,teethingorfever.

O Callthedoctorifyouthinkyourbabyissick.

Testsanddiagnosis

Computerized tomography (CT) scan.

Magnetic resonance

imaging (MRI).

Skeletal survey.

Ophthalmological exam.

Blood tests.

SourcesO http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/

injury_prevention/shaken_baby_syndrome/sbs_fact_sheet.htm

O http://www.medicinenet.com/shaken_baby_syndrome/article.htm

O http://www.childabuseconsulting.com/shaken-baby-syndrome.html

O http://stopsbs.org/facts/ O http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/shaken-baby-

syndrome/DS01157/DSECTION=tests%2Dand%2Ddiagnosis

O http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THhFoYk7U40

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