Shaken baby syndrome: Difference between revisions
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{{SI}} | |||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Shaken baby syndrome | |||
| image = [[File:CTheatInfantAbusiveheadtrauma.png|250px]] | |||
| caption = CT scan of an infant with abusive head trauma | |||
| synonyms = Abusive head trauma (AHT), shaken impact syndrome | |||
| specialty = [[Pediatrics]], [[Neurology]], [[Ophthalmology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Irritability]], [[lethargy]], [[vomiting]], [[seizures]], [[coma]] | |||
| complications = [[Cerebral palsy]], [[seizures]], [[visual impairment]], [[hearing loss]], [[developmental delay]] | |||
| onset = Typically in infants and young children | |||
| duration = Varies, can be acute or chronic | |||
| causes = Violent shaking of an infant or young child | |||
| risks = [[Caregiver stress]], [[domestic violence]], [[substance abuse]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Clinical evaluation]], [[neuroimaging]], [[ophthalmologic examination]] | |||
| differential = [[Accidental head trauma]], [[metabolic disorders]], [[bleeding disorders]] | |||
| prevention = [[Parental education]], [[support programs]] for caregivers | |||
| treatment = [[Emergency medical care]], [[surgery]], [[rehabilitation therapy]] | |||
| prognosis = Varies, can range from full recovery to severe disability or death | |||
| frequency = Estimated 1,000 to 3,000 cases per year in the United States | |||
}} | |||
[[File:AbusiveheadtraumaBonewindowsNo.png|Shaken baby syndrome|thumb|left]] | |||
[[File:SkullFracAHTLtMark2.png|Shaken baby syndrome|thumb]] | |||
[[File:SkullFracAHTMark.png|Shaken baby syndrome|thumb|left]] | |||
'''Shaken Baby Syndrome''' (SBS), also known as '''abusive head trauma''' (AHT), is a serious brain injury resulting from forcefully shaking an infant or toddler. SBS/AHT describes a form of inflicted head trauma. Despite its name, the injury can occur from both shaking alone or from impact, with or without shaking. The violent movement causes the brain to move back and forth within the skull, leading to bruising, swelling, and bleeding of the brain, which can lead to permanent, severe brain damage or death. | '''Shaken Baby Syndrome''' (SBS), also known as '''abusive head trauma''' (AHT), is a serious brain injury resulting from forcefully shaking an infant or toddler. SBS/AHT describes a form of inflicted head trauma. Despite its name, the injury can occur from both shaking alone or from impact, with or without shaking. The violent movement causes the brain to move back and forth within the skull, leading to bruising, swelling, and bleeding of the brain, which can lead to permanent, severe brain damage or death. | ||
== Causes == | == Causes == | ||
The primary mechanism behind SBS is the violent shaking of a child, which can cause the brain to rotate within the skull, leading to cerebral contusions, [[Subdural hematoma|subdural hematomas]], and retinal hemorrhages. Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable due to their relatively large head size, weak neck muscles, and fragile brain tissue. | The primary mechanism behind SBS is the violent shaking of a child, which can cause the brain to rotate within the skull, leading to cerebral contusions, [[Subdural hematoma|subdural hematomas]], and retinal hemorrhages. Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable due to their relatively large head size, weak neck muscles, and fragile brain tissue. | ||
== Symptoms and Signs == | == Symptoms and Signs == | ||
Symptoms of SBS may include extreme irritability, decreased alertness, poor feeding, breathing problems, convulsions, vomiting, and pale or bluish skin. Long-term consequences can range from learning disabilities and physical disabilities to severe brain damage and death. Visual problems such as [[Blindness|blindness]] or [[Retinal detachment|retinal detachment]] can also occur. | Symptoms of SBS may include extreme irritability, decreased alertness, poor feeding, breathing problems, convulsions, vomiting, and pale or bluish skin. Long-term consequences can range from learning disabilities and physical disabilities to severe brain damage and death. Visual problems such as [[Blindness|blindness]] or [[Retinal detachment|retinal detachment]] can also occur. | ||
== Diagnosis == | == Diagnosis == | ||
Diagnosis of SBS involves a careful history, physical examination, and often neuroimaging studies such as [[MRI]] or [[CT scan]]s. Ophthalmologic examination is also crucial for identifying retinal hemorrhages, which are a hallmark of the syndrome. | Diagnosis of SBS involves a careful history, physical examination, and often neuroimaging studies such as [[MRI]] or [[CT scan]]s. Ophthalmologic examination is also crucial for identifying retinal hemorrhages, which are a hallmark of the syndrome. | ||
== Prevention == | == Prevention == | ||
Prevention of SBS is critical and involves educating caregivers about the dangers of shaking a baby. Programs that provide support and education to parents of newborns have been shown to reduce the incidence of SBS. | Prevention of SBS is critical and involves educating caregivers about the dangers of shaking a baby. Programs that provide support and education to parents of newborns have been shown to reduce the incidence of SBS. | ||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
Treatment for SBS is supportive and aims to relieve symptoms and prevent further brain injury. This may include measures to control intracranial pressure, treat seizures, and manage other complications. Rehabilitation services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy may be necessary for long-term management of disabilities. | Treatment for SBS is supportive and aims to relieve symptoms and prevent further brain injury. This may include measures to control intracranial pressure, treat seizures, and manage other complications. Rehabilitation services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy may be necessary for long-term management of disabilities. | ||
== Legal Aspects == | == Legal Aspects == | ||
SBS is a form of child abuse. Caregivers found guilty of causing SBS face severe legal consequences. Legal definitions and penalties vary by jurisdiction, but all aim to protect children from harm. | SBS is a form of child abuse. Caregivers found guilty of causing SBS face severe legal consequences. Legal definitions and penalties vary by jurisdiction, but all aim to protect children from harm. | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
* [[Child abuse]] | * [[Child abuse]] | ||
* [[Traumatic brain injury]] | * [[Traumatic brain injury]] | ||
* [[Pediatrics]] | * [[Pediatrics]] | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Pediatrics]] | [[Category:Pediatrics]] | ||
[[Category:Child abuse]] | [[Category:Child abuse]] | ||
[[Category:Neurotrauma]] | [[Category:Neurotrauma]] | ||
{{Medicine-stub}} | {{Medicine-stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 09:05, 13 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Shaken baby syndrome | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | Abusive head trauma (AHT), shaken impact syndrome |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | Pediatrics, Neurology, Ophthalmology |
| Symptoms | Irritability, lethargy, vomiting, seizures, coma |
| Complications | Cerebral palsy, seizures, visual impairment, hearing loss, developmental delay |
| Onset | Typically in infants and young children |
| Duration | Varies, can be acute or chronic |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Violent shaking of an infant or young child |
| Risks | Caregiver stress, domestic violence, substance abuse |
| Diagnosis | Clinical evaluation, neuroimaging, ophthalmologic examination |
| Differential diagnosis | Accidental head trauma, metabolic disorders, bleeding disorders |
| Prevention | Parental education, support programs for caregivers |
| Treatment | Emergency medical care, surgery, rehabilitation therapy |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Varies, can range from full recovery to severe disability or death |
| Frequency | Estimated 1,000 to 3,000 cases per year in the United States |
| Deaths | N/A |
Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS), also known as abusive head trauma (AHT), is a serious brain injury resulting from forcefully shaking an infant or toddler. SBS/AHT describes a form of inflicted head trauma. Despite its name, the injury can occur from both shaking alone or from impact, with or without shaking. The violent movement causes the brain to move back and forth within the skull, leading to bruising, swelling, and bleeding of the brain, which can lead to permanent, severe brain damage or death.
Causes[edit]
The primary mechanism behind SBS is the violent shaking of a child, which can cause the brain to rotate within the skull, leading to cerebral contusions, subdural hematomas, and retinal hemorrhages. Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable due to their relatively large head size, weak neck muscles, and fragile brain tissue.
Symptoms and Signs[edit]
Symptoms of SBS may include extreme irritability, decreased alertness, poor feeding, breathing problems, convulsions, vomiting, and pale or bluish skin. Long-term consequences can range from learning disabilities and physical disabilities to severe brain damage and death. Visual problems such as blindness or retinal detachment can also occur.
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of SBS involves a careful history, physical examination, and often neuroimaging studies such as MRI or CT scans. Ophthalmologic examination is also crucial for identifying retinal hemorrhages, which are a hallmark of the syndrome.
Prevention[edit]
Prevention of SBS is critical and involves educating caregivers about the dangers of shaking a baby. Programs that provide support and education to parents of newborns have been shown to reduce the incidence of SBS.
Treatment[edit]
Treatment for SBS is supportive and aims to relieve symptoms and prevent further brain injury. This may include measures to control intracranial pressure, treat seizures, and manage other complications. Rehabilitation services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy may be necessary for long-term management of disabilities.
Legal Aspects[edit]
SBS is a form of child abuse. Caregivers found guilty of causing SBS face severe legal consequences. Legal definitions and penalties vary by jurisdiction, but all aim to protect children from harm.
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
<references/>
