Shaken baby syndrome
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Shaken baby syndrome describes a variety of outcomes that may occur as a result of violently shaking or hitting the head of a small child. These results may include neurological damage ranging from lethargy to death. These result from destruction of brain cells secondary to the initial trauma, oxygen deprivation and swelling of the brain. Retinal hemorrhages are also commonly found in children suffering from SBS. Subdural hematoma is commonly found in SBS victims.
The brain damage found in SBS cannot be understood without knowing the anatomy of the meninges. The subdural hematoma is the most common injury found in children suffering from SBS. In SBS, the subdural hematoma is classically seen on both sides of the brain. In other types of injury or disease, a subdural hematoma may be unilateral.
Prevention
One important effect of this diagnosis and the attention given to it by the media is that caregivers are now more aware of the serious damage that can be done to children by violent shaking. Prevention of SBS is similar to the prevention of child abuse in general. Since crying is a common trigger for shaking a baby, it is important that caregivers know that they are not always responsible when babies cry. See colic.