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Shaken Baby Syndrome:

Author: Rose Stella Rose Stella
Category: Child's Health

Children who have been subjected to “Shaken Baby Syndrome” (also known as “Shaken Impact Syndrome”) have suffered a significant amount of harm. Shaking a baby because it won’t stop crying is a common cause of baby tantrums among parents and other primary caregivers.

The neck muscles of infants are so weak that they are unable to fully support the weight of their heads. Additionally, they have a variety of delicate blood vessels. Shocking a baby can cause its brain to repeatedly hit the inside of its skull, which can lead to brain damage. Bruising, bleeding, and swelling of the brain can occur as a result of this impact. There may also be other injuries such as broken bones and damage to the baby’s eyes and spine.

The baby’s head moves violently back and forth when shaken violently. This can cause serious and even fatal brain damage. If the shaking is interrupted by the baby’s head hitting a surface, these forces are magnified. Shaken impact syndrome, inflicted head injury, and whiplash shaken infant syndrome are other names for abusive head trauma. Five seconds of shaking is all it takes to trigger it.

A baby in the sheetsA baby in the sheets

When a child suffers from the shaken baby syndrome, his or her brain cells

are damaged and deprived of oxygen

A child’s brain damage or death may result from this type of child abuse. Prevention of shaken baby syndrome is a must. Parents who are in danger of harming their children can get assistance. Other caregivers can learn about the dangers of “shaken baby syndrome” from parents.

In children under the age of two, the shaken baby syndrome is more common, but it can also affect children over the age of five. The majority of cases of shaken baby syndrome occur in infants between the ages of six and eight weeks when they are most likely to cry.

Cause of Shaken Baby Syndrome

Shaken baby syndrome injuries are not caused by playful interaction with an infant, such as bouncing the baby on the lap or tossing the baby in the air. In most cases, however, these injuries are the result of a parent or caregiver slapping or slapping the baby violently.

You should never shake a baby, no matter what. When a baby is shaken, it is an act of deliberate abuse. If you suspect that your child or another child has suffered from the shaken baby syndrome, dial the appropriate authorities immediately. An emergency room visit is a must at this point, as this is a medical emergency.

Shaken Baby SyndromeShaken Baby Syndrome

Incidence and Frequency Rates

The majority of cases occur before the first birthday of a baby, with the majority occurring in children under the age of two. There is a wide range of ages of victims, from three to eight months. Children as young as four have been harmed, however. Most of the time, the abuser is either the father, the mother’s boyfriend, a female babysitter, or even the mother herself. Stressed parents are more likely to see their children engage in violent or impulsive behavior, whether it’s due to the environment, society, biology, or finances. Victims of domestic violence or substance abuse may be more likely to perpetrate violence against others.

Between 600 and 1400 cases of shaken baby syndrome occur in the United States each year, according to the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. Currently, there is no reliable way to collect these statistics, so there is no way to know for sure how common this problem is. Infants and young children who have been abused are at an increased risk of developing this syndrome, which can lead to death or long-term disabilities.

Are There Particularly Vulnerable Children?

A shaken baby syndrome is most common in infants and toddlers under the age of 2 years old. Children as young as 5 years old have a small chance of developing it. It can happen to any child, regardless of gender.

Colicky and GER sufferers are particularly vulnerable to abuse, as are children with a wide range of special needs or medical conditions that cause them to cry frequently.

Babies are shaken by whom?

There are both men and women who may shake a baby, depending on their proximity to the infant (a father or mother directly involved in the child’s upbringing, for example), and their gender. Any family, regardless of ethnicity, income, or family structure, can be affected by the shaken baby syndrome.

Symptoms of Shaken-Baby Syndrome

Babies’ reactions to being shaken vary widely. Indications include:

  • Vomiting
  • Skin that is a shade of blue
  • Shakes or tremors
  • Breath problems
  • Drowsiness
  • The desire to eat has decreased.
  • Sucking difficulties
  • No more smirking or chatting.
  • Bruises may appear on the baby’s arms or chest where he or she has been grabbed. In addition to these signs, you may also see
  • Excessively large or broad on the top of the head
  • Pupils of various sizes
  • Lack of concentration
  • A preference for one of your limbs over the other

The shaken baby syndrome may also have symptoms that you can’t see, like:

  • Ribs or other bones broken
  • Injury to the spine or neck
  • Brain hemorrhage
  • Behavior, health, and/or academic difficulties may develop later in mild cases.

Shaken Baby SyndromeShaken Baby Syndrome

Shaken Baby Syndrome Causes

Infants have a difficult time holding their heads up for long periods of time. This is due to the fact that their neck muscles are weak at birth and grow stronger with age. Also, they haven’t fully developed brains, which is understandable.

It is possible for the brain to bounce back and forth between the front and back of the skull when a baby is shaken. It bleeds, bruises, and swells as a result. This can happen in just a few seconds of vigorous shaking.

The shaken baby syndrome can be caused by a variety of factors.

The joy that babies bring can be tempered by the frustration that comes from not being able to soothe their cries. These are normal times for most caregivers. It’s possible to cross a line if those feelings get out of hand, though. It is possible to cross the line if you do certain things, like:

  • Addiction to alcohol or other drugs
  • Family dynamics that are in flux
  • Depression
  • Prevention

This can be avoided at all costs. Even for experienced parents, taking care of a newborn can be a challenge. A baby should never, ever be hit, shaken, or thrown around in any way. There are some things you can do to avoid being abused:

  • Pause, inhale, and count to ten
  • Let the baby cry on her own for a while.
  • If you need emotional support, talk to someone.
  • Consult a pediatrician; the baby’s crying could be due to something medical.
  • A caregiver, friend, or family member in whom you do not have complete faith should never be trusted with a baby.
  • Before leaving your child in the care of a nanny or a daycare center, be sure to check their references thoroughly.

How to avoid Baby Shaken SyndromeHow to avoid Baby Shaken Syndrome


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