Public Health Services Home

Text Version

Home | Translate

    News
    County Executive
    County Council
    Judiciary
    Departments
    I Want To ...
    Services & Info.
    Online Services
    County Cable 6
    New

Seniors
    Education
    Libraries
    Volunteer
    Careers
    Contact Us

Department of Health and Human Services

Shaken Baby Syndrome in the United States

Most Americans have never heard of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) and are unaware of the harmful effects of shaking a baby. SBS is a form of child abuse affecting between 1,200 and 1,600 children every year. SBS is a collection of signs and symptoms resulting from violently shaking an infant or child.¹ Shaken baby syndrome is a totally preventable, often unintentional form of child abuse that occurs when a parent or caregiver loses control and shakes a baby. The primary trigger for this action is inconsolable crying of an infant or the challenging attitude of a toddler.

SBS is a severe form of head injury that results from the forcible shaking of a baby. If a baby is shaken hard enough, it may cause the baby’s brain to rebound, or bounce, against his or her skull. The rebound may cause bruising, bleeding, or swelling of the brain. The result can be brain damage or death. As little as 2-3 seconds of violent shaking causes the baby’s head to “whip” back and forth and can cause irreversible brain damage or can kill a baby. Twenty-five percent of all babies with SBS die.² Shaking a baby violently for even 2-3 seconds can cause bleeding in and around the baby’s brain and can destroy brain cells.³

There are various signs and symptoms of shaken baby syndrome. If you suspect a child has been shaken, seek medical attention immediately.

The injuries that can result from shaking a baby include

Less Serious Injury⁴

Serious Brain Injury⁴

Lethargy/decreased muscle tone
Extreme irritability
Decreased appetite, poor feeding or vomiting for no apparent reason
Grab-type bruises on arms or chest are rare
No smiling or vocalization
Poor sucking or swallowing
Rigidity or posturing

Difficulty breathing
Seizures
Head or forehead appears larger than usual or soft-spot on head appears to be bulging
Inability to suck or swallow
Inability to lift head
Inability of eyes to focus or track movements or unequal size of pupils

These signs and symptoms may be present if a child is suffering from SBS

Lethargy
Vomiting
Irritability
Constipation
Decreased Appetite

Difficulty Breathing
Seizures
Semi-Consciousness
Dilated Pupils
Blood Spots or Pooling of Blood in the Eyes

The injuries that can result from shaking a baby include:

Death
Vegetative State
Brain Damage
Seizures
Cerebral Palsy
Paralysis
Speech Difficulties

Mental Retardation
Developmental Delays
Behavioral Problems
Learning Problems
Blindness
Hearing Loss

Shaken Baby Syndrome in the United States
Top 10 things to try if your baby will not stop crying
SBS Risk Factors
SBS Facts and Tips
SBS Local Maryland Resources
SBS Internet Resources

References:

[1] National Center for Shaken Baby Syndrome website
[2] National Shaken Baby Syndrome Campaign
[3] Byron, B. L. Shaken Baby Syndrome. The Family Works. www.familyworks.org/Parenting/BevByron.htm. 1999.
[4] National Center of Shaken Baby Syndrome: Physical Signs/Symptoms.

Last edited: 12/12/2008

The injuries that can result from shaking a baby include

Less Serious Injury4

Serious Brain Injury4

These signs and symptoms may be present if a child is suffering from SBS

The injuries that can result from shaking a baby include:

Less Serious Injury⁴

Serious Brain Injury⁴