SHAKEN BABY SYNDRONE (SBS)
What is the Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)?
-Shaken Baby Syndrome is caused by being shaken violently, and it occurs to young children and infants.
-The shaking of a baby or infant is very dangerous to the brain.
-When a young child or an infant is shaken violently it causes a head impact.
-Shaken Baby Syndrome can include: blindness, seizures, brain damage, paralysis and death.
Why Does Shaken Baby Syndrome Happen?
-Shaken Baby Syndrome happens because caregivers or parents lose control.
-Caregivers can not put up with the frustrations of taking and caring for a baby.
-Babies have larger heads and weaker neck muscles than other people or older children.
How Serious Is the Shaken Baby Syndrome?
-In the past few years there has been an estimate of an average of 2 SBS deaths a year.
-There are close to 100 injuries a year and approximately 50% of the infants have neurological damage.
How Can You Identify Shaken Baby Syndrome?
-You can find signs of SBS by bruised or broken bones from a violent shake.
-You can also identify Shaken Baby Syndrome by finger marks on the chest wall or around the infants shoulders.
Who Are The Victims And The Perpetrators Of Shaken Baby Syndrome?
-Males and babysitters are usually the perpetrators of the Shaken Baby Syndrome because they can not put up with babies.
-Shaken Baby Syndrome often occurs to infants after the age of 2.
How Can We Avoid Shaken Baby Syndrome?
-Parents should indicate to babysitters and care givers that they should never shake a baby violently.
-Parents should also make plans. When a baby cries or is hard to deal with, they should take a break and have someone help so that they do not have a violent result or consequence.