Joint statement on Shaken Baby Syndrome

Question 1

What is shaken baby syndrome?

Answer 1

Injuries that characterize include:

1. Intracranial hemorrhage
2. Retinal hemorrhage
3. Fractures of the ribs and the ends of long bones
4. Additional bruises, lacerations and other fractures from impact trauma

Occurs when and infant or young child is shaken violently

Question 2

What is the incidence of shaken baby syndrome?

Answer 2

Unclear as its under reported

Question 3

Which children are at most risk?

Answer 3

Infants <1yo

Question 4

How forceful a shaking causes injury?

Answer 4

The severity of the shaking force required to produce injury is such that it cannot occur in any normal activity such as play, the motions of daily living or a resuscitation attempt. The act of shaking that results in injury to the child is so violent that untrained observers would immediately recognize it as dangerous.

Question 5

What are signs and symptoms of injury?

Answer 5

1. Irritability
2. Lethargy
3. Emesis
4. Seizures
5. LOC
6. Interrupted breathing
7. Death
8. Poor feeding

Question 6

What are the long term health consequences?

Answer 6

1. No apparent effects
2. Developmental delay
3. Seizures
4. Paralysis
5. Blindness
6. Death

19% died, 59% neurological deficits, visual impairment, and/or other health effects, 22% well at discharge

Question 7

What are some risk factors for SBS?

Answer 7

1. Social isolation
2. Family violence
3. Substance abuse
4. Psychiatric conditions
5. Adult being abused as a child or youth
6. Poor parental attachment to child
7. Inadequate knowledge of child development
8. Male children
9. <6mo

Question 8

What are the CPS recommendations re: data collection and surveillance?

Answer 8

1. Use existing surveillance systems to collect national data on an ongoing basis
2. Research, practitioners, and policy makers should have access to this data

Question 9

What are the CPS recommendations re: research?

Answer 9

1. Research is needed in injuries, psychosocial aspects, risk factors, profiles of perpetrators, and triggers of violence and long term consequences
2. Need to evaluate prevention programs

Question 10

What are the CPS recommendations re: prevention?

Answer 10

1. Broad population health basis for programs with caution re: shaking babies and guidance for coping
2. Provide accessible parent support programs

Question 11

What are the CPS recommendations re: care and treatment?

Answer 11

1. Survivors req. health from developmental specialists and education programs
2. Need help from child abuse experts

Question 12

What are the CPS recommendations re: law enforcement and justice?

Answer 12

Education regarding Shaken Baby Syndrome should be provided to those involved in the child welfare and justice systems, including child protection personnel, police, medical examiners and coroners, prosecutors, lawyers and judges.

Question 13

What are the CPS recommendations re: community response?

Answer 13

Multidisciplinary services and supports should be available to survivors of Shaken Baby Syndrome, and to biological, adoptive and foster families affected by it.

Question 14

What are the CPS recommendations re: professional training?

Answer 14

Protocols and guidelines should be developed to ensure appropriate and consistent response to Shaken Baby Syndrome. The above guidelines should provide for the continued development of expertise in the identification, treatment and management of all aspects of Shaken Baby Syndrome, and for its prevention