WHAT IS SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME?

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WHAT IS SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME?

Shaken baby syndrome is a serious brain injury caused by forcefully and violently shaking a baby. Other names for this condition include abusive head trauma, shaken impact syndrome, and whiplash shake syndrome. Shaken baby syndrome is a form of child abuse that causes severe brain damage. 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. 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. 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.

Playful interaction with an infant, such as bouncing the baby on the lap or tossing the baby up in the air, won’t cause the injuries associated with shaken baby syndrome. Instead, these injuries often happen when someone shakes the baby out of frustration or anger.

You should never shake a baby under any circumstances. Shaking a baby is a serious and deliberate form of abuse. Call 911 right away if you believe that your baby or another baby is a victim of shaken baby syndrome. This is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical treatment.

What Are the Symptoms of Shaken Baby Syndrome?

Symptoms of shaken baby syndrome may include:

• difficulty staying awake
• body tremors
• trouble breathing
• poor eating
• vomiting
• discolored skin
• seizures
• coma
• paralysis

 Take your baby to the nearest emergency room immediately if they are experiencing symptoms of shaken baby syndrome. This type of injury is life threatening and can result in permanent brain damage.

WHAT CAUSES SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME?

Shaken baby syndrome occurs when someone violently shakes an infant or toddler. People may shake an infant out of frustration or anger, often because the child won't stop crying. Although shaking does eventually make the baby stop crying, it’s usually because the shaking has damaged their brain.

Babies have weak neck muscles and often have difficulty supporting their heads. When an infant is forcefully shaken, their head moves uncontrollably. The violent movement repeatedly throws the baby’s brain against the inside of the skull, causing bruising, swelling, and bleeding

HOW IS SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME DIAGNOSED?

To make a diagnosis, the doctor will look for the three conditions that often indicate shaken baby syndrome. These are:

• encephalopathy, or brain swelling
• subdural hemorrhage, or bleeding in the brain
• retinal hemorrhage, or bleeding in a part of the eye called the retina

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:

• MRI scan, which uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain
• CT scan, which creates clear, cross-sectional images of the brain
• skeletal X-ray, which reveals spine, rib, and skull fractures
• ophthalmic exam, which checks for eye injuries and bleeding in the eyes

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. These include bleeding disorders and certain genetic disorders, such as osteogenesis imperfecta. The blood test will determine whether or not another condition is causing your child’s symptoms.

BE AWARE GUYS....

SOURCE : healthline.com

Posted By : Precy Perea
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