What Is Shaken Baby Syndrome?

Shaken baby syndrome -- also referred to as abusive head trauma -- is a condition that arises when a person has shaken a baby or toddler with force that is violent enough to cause the brain to bounce against the sides of the skull. Children ages 2 to 4 months are most at risk for this type of abuse, says the Cleveland Clinic, but it can happen in children as old as 5 years. In any event, the results of such an act are tragic, often resulting in death or lifelong injury for the child.

  1. Why it Happens

    • Parents and caregivers may use this as a form of discipline to quiet a child who is crying excessively. They become frustrated after repeated attempts to resolve the crying, and that anger is expressed by shaking the child in hopes that he gets the message that the noise is too much for the parent to bear. What parents don't realize, however, is the devastation they can cause in such a short period of time.

    Diagnosis/Treatment

    • It's important to get your child to the doctor right away if you suspect this condition. Symptoms to look for include lethargy, coma, breathing difficulties, seizures, inability to focus, irritability, appetite loss or vomiting, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Once at the physician's office, he will use a CAT scan or MRI to diagnose your child's condition. If the diagnosis is shaken baby syndrome, he will usually perform emergency surgery to halt the bleeding on the brain.

    Long-Term Outlook

    • The prognosis for this condition is usually poor. It worsens depending on the time between the discovery of the injury and the receipt of medical attention. If the retina is damaged, blindness in one or both eyes can result, and become permanent, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. There is almost always some degree of cerebral palsy or mental impairment, and these may sometimes not fully manifest before your child reaches the age of 6.

    What to Do Instead

    • If your baby or toddler is crying incessantly, you can take several steps to defuse the situation that don't involve shaking your child. For instance, the Cleveland Clinic website recommends that if your child is crying loudly, check to see if he has wet himself, is hungry or sick. Look for signs of illness, such as fever or swelling. If no signs of hunger, wetness or illness are present, soothe your baby or toddler with music, whether it comes from a radio or from your own singing voice. Take him for a ride in the stroller or car to calm him down. If the stress of parenting is becoming overwhelming, ask a trusted friend, neighbor or relative to take over until you've collected yourself. If that's not possible, lay the crying child in a crib, then shut the door. Come back only when you have calmed down.

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