Shaken Baby Syndrome
Shaken baby syndrome is one of the most frequent forms of child abuse. It consists of brain injuries that occur in babies when they are shaken while being held by the chest. It is an indicator of physical violence against children and can produce serious sequelae or even death.
In this article, we will present the basic data about this syndrome.
What is shaken baby syndrome?
The baby syndrome shaken consists of a series of brain injuries that occur in babies when they are shaken violently. It is an indicator that the child has been physically abused. This is because babies’ neck muscles are not yet fully developed, and they often find it difficult to support their heads properly.
We must keep in mind that sometimes, even if this is not the caregiver’s intention, the sheer strength of an adult and the difference in size are enough to injure a small baby.
What happens is that when you shake the child violently, the child’s head moves uncontrollably in all directions. This causes the baby’s brain inside the skull to crash into the hard bones around it.
Thus, damage occurs to neurons, that is, to brain cells, which can be reversible or irreversible. This can also lead to brain hemorrhages and eye damage. Shaking a child can even cause their death.
Symptoms
Some of the symptoms that can occur when a baby is abruptly shaken are:
- Nervousness or agitation.
- Somnolence.
- Irritability.
- Refusal of food, vomiting, nausea…
- Difficulty breathing.
- Seizures.
- Blindness.
- Paralysis.
- Eat in the most severe cases.
Symptoms may not be noticed immediately after the injury. However, if there is enough severity, as the hours go by, the symptoms mentioned above will start to appear.
What are the sequels?
One in ten children who suffer from this type of injury ends up dying. Of those that survive, up to 50% are left with serious and irreversible sequelae. Some of these sequelae can include blindness, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, epilepsy, language difficulties…
How to prevent shaken baby syndrome?
If there are other people who help with your baby’s care, make sure they know the dangers of this type of injury. If, on the other hand, you suspect that a baby may be abused, it is very important to seek help and act accordingly.
Sometimes, when a baby cries for a long time without any apparent cause, it’s common for caregivers to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
However, it is necessary to always keep in mind how dangerous this can be, as well as the consequences that can arise from the uncontrolled behavior of an adult caregiver.
There are training courses for parents that can help you understand why a baby cries and how to deal with these situations. If you are a parent or caregiver and sometimes have trouble controlling your emotions, be sure to seek out an expert for help.
In short…
Never forget how fragile babies are! It is necessary to be especially careful with them and always pay attention to possible signs of any kind of abuse. Therefore, if you suspect child abuse or find it difficult to control your emotions towards a child, always seek professional help.
