Is Shaken Baby Syndrome preventable?

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is a preventable, severe form of physical child abuse resulting from violently shaking an infant by the shoulders, arms, or legs. SBS may result from both shaking alone or from shaking with impact.

Can shaken baby syndrome be prevented?

Shaken baby syndrome is preventable. Help is available for parents who are at risk of harming a child. Parents also can educate other caregivers about the dangers of shaken baby syndrome.

What percentage of victims of shaken baby syndrome is preventable?

Abusive head trauma is 100% preventable. A key part of prevention is increasing awareness of the dangers of shaking: Tell people caring for your baby to never shake the baby. Talk about normal crying so a caregiver is less likely to get upset.

Is it easy to get shaken baby syndrome?

Shaken baby syndrome can occur from as little as 5 seconds of shaking. Shaken baby injuries most often occur in children younger than 2 years old, but may be seen in children up to 5 years old.

What is a frequent trigger for shaken baby syndrome?

Inconsolable or excessive crying is the most common trigger for shaking a baby. Episodes of crying typically increase in the first month after birth, peak in the second month, and decrease thereafter (Parks et al., 2012).

At what age does Shaken Baby Syndrome stop?

This syndrome is primarily seen in children younger than age two, with the majority of cases occurring before the baby’s first birthday. The average victim is between three and eight months old. However, children up to age four have been victims of this abuse.

What are the 5 S’s for soothing a baby?

A new system that involves the five S’s — swaddling, side/stomach positioning in the parents’ arms, shushing, swinging, and sucking — can calm most crying infants, Dr. Karp said. This activates the baby’s calming reflex during the first three to four months of life by mimicking experiences in the uterus.

What is the number 1 reason a baby is shaken?

The number-one reason given for shaking a baby is, “I just wanted the crying to stop.” Shaking usually occurs when parents, babysitters or other caregivers become frustrated and lose control because of persistent crying.

What is purple crying?

The period of PURPLE Crying® is a term used by some experts and parents to describe colic or persistent crying. Coined by Ronald Barr, an expert on infant crying, it’s designed to reassure parents that colic is simply a phase that many babies go through. … Your baby may cry more each week, peaking at about two months.

Can a bumpy car ride cause shaken baby syndrome?

Jiggling baby while adjusting them in a carrier, seeing their head accidentally flop to the side as you pick them up or going over a bumpy road in the stroller or car seat won’t cause shaken baby syndrome.

Can a baby fully recover from shaken baby syndrome?

The majority of infants who survive severe shaking will have some form of neurological or mental disability, such as cerebral palsy or cognitive impairment, which may not be fully apparent before 6 years of age. Children with shaken baby syndrome may require lifelong medical care.

Is it OK to shake baby to sleep?

Some babies may even stop breathing, which can cause further brain damage. The shaking can also cause bleeding into the back of the eyes.

Is it OK to bounce baby?

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.

What can mimic shaken baby syndrome?

Blood tests.

Some metabolic and genetic disorders, as well as bleeding and clotting disorders, can lead to symptoms that may mimic shaken baby syndrome. Blood tests can help rule out some of these conditions.

What are 3 immediate consequences of shaking a baby?

When a baby is shaken hard by the shoulders, arms, or legs, it can cause learning disabilities, behavior disorders, vision problems or blindness, hearing and speech issues, seizures, cerebral palsy, serious brain injury, and permanent disability.

Who is more likely to shake a baby?

Canadian research has shown that the babies who are shaken are most often male and under six months of age. The research also identified biological fathers, stepfathers and male partners of biological mothers as more likely to shake an infant. Female babysitters and biological mothers are also known to shake babies.