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 subdurmal hematoma is the most common injury found in children suffering from SBS. In SBS, the subdurmal hematoma is classically seen on both sides of the brain. In other types of injury or disease, a subdurmal hematoma may be unilateral.
Damage to the retina is also common with children suffering from SBS.
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 cholic.
Because SBS isn't the sole cause of subdural hematomas or retinal hemorrhages, some people have no doubt been falsely accused of SBS. Since this is a highly emotionally charged accusation that currently plays well with jurys, groups have been formed to bring what they see as a more balanced view of these injuries to the legal system.
Because false allegations such as Satanic ritual abuse and the Salem witch trials can sometimes enjoy a brief status as a legal fad, and diagnosis can gain the status of a medical fad, caution must be taken in a legal context to insure the rights of both the accused and the victims of SBS.Prevention
Possible Status as a Legal and Medical Fad
