Shaken Baby Syndrome
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Shaken baby syndrome occurs when a baby or toddler is violently shaken, causing brain damage and even death. It is usually caused by a parent or caregiver who gets angry or upset by a baby’s constant crying and shakes them out of frustration. This causes the baby’s brain to move around in the skull, leading to swelling, bleeding, and bruising.
Symptoms
A few symptoms of shaken baby syndrome include seizures, vomiting, blue-tinted skin, irritability, and paralysis.
Effects
Shaken baby syndrome can cause subdural hematoma, blindness, damage to the neck & spinal cord, fractures, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Shaken baby syndrome can also lead to conditions like cerebral palsy, paralysis, epilepsy, and intellectual disabilities.
Treatment and Prevention
Around 80% of shaken baby syndrome survivors end up with medical issues and may require lifelong medical care, and about 25% of babies and toddlers don’t even survive at all. A few ways to prevent shaken baby syndrome include calming down before entering a crying baby’s room or asking someone else to help for the time being. Treatment for shaken baby syndrome may include surgery to stop bleeding, medications, and respiratory support to help the child breathe.
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