mrsamct
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Joined: 06 Aug 2011
Posts: 207
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 Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 6:00 am Post subject: Shaken Baby Syndrome - Causes, Symptoms and Treatments |
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poppen
work accident lawyer
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.
1. Internal bleeding in brain (brain hemorrhage, retinal hemorrhage etc).
2. Damage to the ribs or spinal cord.
3. Fractures on the long bones and vertebrae.
4. Subdural hematoma
5. Swelling of brain
6. Problems related to respiration.
7. Babies stop crying immediately after they are shaken violently, as a result of internal damage to the brain and vital tissues.
8. Permanent disability
9. Sluggishness, drowsiness, vomiting and problems related to appetite.
10. 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.
11. Child may go into coma.
12. Seizure and irregular heartbeats.
13. Pale or bluish skin
14. Impaired vision
15. Immediately after shaking violently; blindness, paralysis and hearing loss may occur in the child.
16. Inability to lift or move head.
17. Difference in pupils of both the eyes.
Diagnosis
Shaken baby syndrome is somehow difficult to diagnose as the symptoms associated with the syndrome are also seen when the child is suffering from any other conditions such as mental retardation, brain and retinal hemorrhage, blindness, hearing loss etc. Shaken baby syndrome can be diagnosed based on the primary symptoms such as sluggishness, failure to respond to sounds and movements in front of the eyes, brain and retinal hemorrhage, broken ribs, arm or leg bones, breathing problem etc. The internal injuries to brain and bleeding, fractures in bones can be confirmed with the help of medical imaging such as MRI, CAT and CT scan.
Treatments
Treatment of shaken baby syndrome is carried out depending upon the condition, symptoms and severity. Brain injuries, serious problems such as hearing loss, breathing problem, frequent loss of consciousness, mental imbalance and internal injuries and bleeding are treated with the help of medication and surgery, wherever possible. In some cases, if the syndrome is mild, the injuries and medical conditions caused are allowed to heal with time.
Prevention Tips
Try to understand the fact that babies can express their problems only through crying; there is no other way for them to tell you what they want or if anything is troubling them. The caretaker should not be someone who loses his/her temper very fast and has very low tolerance. They should understand that babies need care and it is in their nature to cry; in fact, babies who do not cry may have some problem. Avoid letting your baby be baby-sit by someone who is not good with children and can hurt your child. Do not get frustrated, if your child starts crying late at night or cries without any reason for a long time. Learn techniques to soothe your child, so that it won’t lead to frustration when your child starts crying. Sometimes, children do not respond to soothing. In such situations, the caretaker should still make sure that the child is taken utmost care of.
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