In the past few years, a newly recognized injury
to children has been identified and described. This injury is
often referred to as "shaken infant syndrome." This is
a serious injury, and the results can be devastating.
Most of the time, shaken infant syndrome occurs when adults,
frustrated and angry with children, shake them strenuously.
Many well-intentioned, responsible people who could never
dream of hitting their child, think nothing of giving a small
child a "good shaking." While such punishment is
generally considered harmless, the effects of mild or moderate
shakings may be far more damaging than they realize.
Young infants have very weak neck muscles and only gradually
develop the strength to control their heavy heads.
If they are shaken, their heads wobble rapidly back and forth,
which may cause brain damage and bleeding in and on the surface
of the brain. Sever damage of this type is most common in very
young infants, but it can happen to even three and four year
olds.
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- Repeated, vigorous tossing of a small child into
the air
- Jogging while carrying an infant on the back or
shoulders
- "Riding a horse" (child faces the adult
while sitting n his swinging foot or bouncing on
the knee)
- "Cracking the whip," while swinging the
child around by the ankles
- Spinning a child around
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- Brain damage
- Spinal injury/paralysis
- Blindness or other eye trauma
- Seizures
- Delay in normal development - impaired motor and
sensory skills
- Broken bones
- Dislocations
- Retardation
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These tips are for preventing shaken infant
syndrome are the advice of several leading pediatricians
knowledgeable in this field.
- The most important rule to remember is never
shake an infant under the age of 2, for any
reason.
- Always provide support for your baby's head when
holding, playing with or transporting your child.
Instruct others who care for your infant in the
proper support of the head.
- Make sure that all those who are in contact with
your infant know the dangers of shaking. This
includes babysitters, child-care personnel, even
siblings who may accidently injure the baby in
roguh play if not properly warned.
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- Learn what to do if your baby won't stop crying.
All babies cry a lot during the few months of
their lives.
- What to do if you shaked the baby, either
accidently or on purpose: Even though you may
feel embarrassed or guilty, it is imperative that
you get the baby to the emergency room
immediately. Bleeding inside the brain can be
treated, but only if you tell the doctors you
shook the baby. This will save your baby a lot of
problem's in the future...and possibly even save
your child's life.
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Instead, Stop ...
- Put the child in a safe place and leave the room
for a few minutes.
- Call a friend or neighbor
- Take 10 deep breaths; then take 10 more
- Do something for yourself; play favorite music,
make a cup of coffee or tea, exercise, take a
shower, or read a magazine or book.
- Change your activity: shake a rug, scrub a floor,
throw away unwanted trash, or clean a closet.
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- Sit down, close your eyes, think of a pleasant
place in your memory. Do not move for several
minutes.
- Write down the ten best things about yourself
- Write down the ten best things about your child.
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This site was developed by Robert
E. White
Copyright © 1997 Child Abuse
Prevention Council of Montgomery County, Inc.