Health Problems of Early Childhood

Question 1

What are symptoms and characteristics of “Shaken Baby Syndrome?”

Answer 1

• AKA Abusive Head Trauma
• Often younger than 2 years of age
• Most often there are no signs of external injury.
• Acceleration–deceleration impact
• Intracranial bleeding
• Irritable, inconsolable, pallor, vomiting, irregular
  breathing, seizures
• Retinal hemorrhages

Question 2

Describe “Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy.”

Answer 2

• AKA: Fabricated or induced illness by caregiver
• Caregiver fabricates signs and symptoms of illness in child (the proxy) to gain attention from medical staff
• Frequent admissions
• Child may undergo needless and painful procedures and treatments
• Suspicious caregiver behavior
  ~ Persistently hanging around the nurse’s station
  ~ Offering to be the key informant and speak at rounds
  ~ Remaining calm in stressful/tense situation