Shaken Baby Syndrome What You Need to Know

Shaken Baby Syndrome – What You Need to Know

What is Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)? l SBS can happen when an adult or older child violently shakes an infant or young child l The baby’s brain moves back and forth inside the skull, tearing blood vessels and causing blood to pool inside the skull l Shaking can cause brain injury, cerebral palsy, blindness, hearing loss, learning & behavior problems, seizures, paralysis, and death

How serious is SBS? l One out of every four children who is shaken dies from their injuries l 80% of survivors suffer permanent damage l An estimated 1, 200 -1, 400 children in the United States are injured or killed by shaking each year

What are the economic results of SBS? l In the United States, costs of hospitalizations and continuing care for SBS victims can total between $1. 2 and 16 billion each year l Some other costs are the wages and productivity of victims who can’t work, and the costs of prosecuting the abuser and putting him or her in jail

In New York State… l An average of 19 children from birth to 4 years of age are hospitalized each year because of SBS l The average charge for each hospitalization is $113, 092

Who are the perpetrators of SBS? l In most cases the person who shakes a baby is male, usually either the mother’s boyfriend or the baby’s father l In a smaller number of cases, a paid caregiver or babysitter is responsible for shaking a baby l In some cases, the baby’s mother is the perpetrator

Why would someone shake a baby? l Most adults who admit to shaking a baby say they became frustrated and upset when the baby would not stop crying l Personal issues such as money or problems at work or in relationships can also make a caregiver frustrated enough to shake a child l Most perpetrators of SBS didn’t mean to hurt or kill the child, and did not realize that their actions could have this effect

What if your baby will not stop crying? l Make sure all of your baby’s basic needs are met. Is your baby… ¡Hungry? ¡Too hot or too cold? ¡Sick or feverish? ¡Needing a diaper change?

If your baby is still crying… l Gently rock your baby l Touch your baby- skin to skin contact will help to soothe and relax both of you l Run a vacuum cleaner, hairdryer, or make some other white noise l While sitting, lay your baby face down across your knees and gently pat or rub their back l Play soft music, sing, or hum to your baby l Take your baby for a ride in the stroller l Swaddle your baby in a soft blanket

If you become frustrated with your baby’s behavior… l If you have tried to soothe your baby but they are still crying, it is okay to put the baby down in a safe place and take a short break l Spend 5 -10 minutes reading, listening to music, exercising, or talking to a friend l Check on the baby after a few minutes- once you feel relaxed you can try again to stop your baby’s crying

Immediate symptoms of SBS include: l Baby seems very tired or cannot stay awake l Baby is very irritable/ fussy l Poor appetite l No smiling or vocalization (talking) l Difficulty swallowing, sucking, or breathing l Head or forehead is larger than usual l Baby can’t lift head l Pupils different sizes l Baby is very stiff or like a rag doll l Vomiting

If you think a baby may have been shaken… l Call 911 right away! Emergency medical care could prevent permanent brain damage, or even save the baby’s life.

Shaken Baby Syndrome is preventable! l Make sure to share the information from this presentation with anyone who spends time with your child, even if it is only for a short while l Everyone who is responsible for a young child should know to never, ever shake a baby

For more information on SBS… l New York State Department of Health- Bureau of Injury Prevention https: //www. health. ny. gov/prevention/injury_prevention/shaken_baby_s yndrome/ 518 -402 -7900 l New York State Office of Children & Family Services www. ocfs. state. ny. us/main/prevention 518 -473 -7793 l Hotline to Report Child Abuse and Neglect: 1 -800 -342 -3720 l Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www. cdc. gov/Violence. Prevention/childmaltreatment/index. html 1 -800 -232 -4636 (1 -800 -CDC-INFO) l Shaken Baby Alliance www. shakenbaby. org 1 -877 -636 -3727 (1 -877 -6 -END-SBS)