Shaken Baby Syndrome - A preventable dilemma
An infant’s natural instinct is to cry. That is their way of communicating to us that they need something since they cannot speak and tell us. All logical attempts should be made to find out why the infant is crying. He/she could be hungry, need changing, may be too hot or too cold, sick or have gas pains. Check to see if the infant is running a temperature and call the doctor if you suspect the infant is sick. It is up to a responsible caring adult to find the reason and deliver a remedy. If none of these remedies work, try playing soft music or singing to the infant, rock the infant or offer them a pacifier. If all else fails, just let the infant cry and take time to compose yourself. You can try talking to a friend or family member for support or suggestions. But whatever you do, do not shake an infant since it can cause shaken baby syndrome.
Sometimes when a caretaker is unable to cope with a crying infant and out of frustration shakes the young child. Unfortunately this attempt to stop a temporary, short-term problem can lead to a life-time of permanent and serious health problems of shaken baby syndrome. Studies have shown that most small children are victimized in the home by either the fathers or the mother’s boyfriend.
Shaken baby syndrome occurs when the infant’s head is suddenly jerked back and forth. This sudden whiplash motion can cause bleeding inside the head and increased pressure on the brain, causing the brain to pull apart and resulting in injury to the infant. An infant’s head and neck are susceptible to head trauma because his or her muscles are not fully developed and the brain tissue is very fragile. Head trauma caused by shaken baby syndrome is the leading cause of disability among abused infants and children.
Shaken baby syndrome can cause brain injury, cerebral palsy, blindness, learning and behavioral problems, seizures, paralysis, mental retardation, brain injury and even death to children, usually under the age of five. Sadly, almost 25% of shaken baby syndrome cases die.
The symptoms to look for are extreme irritability, rigidity, lethargy, seizures, decreased appetite, dilated pupils, feeding problems, difficulty breathing, vomiting, blood spots in the eyes, poor muscle tone and sometimes coma.
In order to prevent shaken baby syndrome to a small child, always make sure they are in the care of someone who is competent and knows how to care for them. You should never shake an infant since it can cause head and neck injuries. An infants head and neck should always be properly supported when being held so their head will not jostle around. Also make sure an older child or sibling does not handle an infant without proper supervision.
If you or someone else shakes an infant, either accidentally or on purpose, take the child to the emergency room immediately. Shaken baby syndrome can cause bleeding inside the brain which can be treated. Immediate medical attention will save the infant many health problems in the future and even his/her life.