Every year, at least 1200 to 1500 cases of shaken baby syndrome surface in America alone. Shaken baby syndrome is a single largest cause of infant death around the world.What is Shaken Baby syndrome?

Shaken baby syndrome is a medical condition that occurs to a child, when an abuser violently shakes the child/infant in a motion similar to a whiplash motion, in order to either threaten the child or stop the baby's/child’s cry. This type of violent shaking causes acceleration and deceleration injuries to the child/infant. The inside of the baby’s/child’s brain is completely shaken and internal injuries to the child cause severe brain damage or death of the infant/child.

Babies have weak neck muscles and a comparatively heavier head, that makes it hard for them to balance (keep their head straight/upright) and need support. If a baby is shaken violently, it causes the brain to collide on the internal wall of the skull. The collisions cause bruises, bleeding or swelling of the brain and the condition can lead to serious damage to the brain, lifelong disability and immediate death in some cases. In few cases, bleeding in the brain can cause hemorrhage, blood in the eye etc.

Causes of Shaken Baby Syndrome

As mentioned above, Shaken baby syndrome is caused due to the violent shaking of the infant/child in accelerated and decelerated motion, which is a result of an act by an abuser. Generally, irritation or frustration are the main causes that leads the abuser to do such an act. Sometimes, it can be could be the result of an accident, while playing or while doing any other activity etc.

What are the symptoms of Shaken Baby syndrome?

Few symptoms of shaken baby syndrome are visible immediately; whereas rest of the symptoms may evolve in due course of time i.e. in couple of years.
Internal bleeding in brain (brain hemorrhage, retinal hemorrhage etc).
Damage to the ribs or spinal cord.
Fractures on the long bones and vertebrae.
Subdural hematoma
Swelling of brain
Problems related to respiration.
Babies stop crying immediately after they are shaken violently, as a result of internal damage to the brain and vital tissues.
Permanent disability
Sluggishness, drowsiness, vomiting and problems related to appetite.
Child may lose consciousness, stop breathing or may not respond to sounds or any movement in front of his/her eye etc, immediately after being shaken violently.
Child may go into coma.
Seizure and irregular heartbeats.
Pale or bluish skin
Impaired vision
Immediately after shaking violently; blindness, paralysis and hearing loss may occur in the child.
Inability to lift or move head.
Difference in pupils of both the eyes.