Shaken Baby Syndrome

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Susan Kinzer, M.P.H.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: August 2003
Last Revision Date: August 2003

• What is shaken baby syndrome?
• What causes it?
• Who can get it?
• What are the signs and symptoms?
• Is it contagious?
• How is it treated?
• How long does it last?
• Can it be prevented?
• When should I call the doctor?

• Shaken baby syndrome is a very bad head injury. It is caused by shaking a baby violently.
• The baby is commonly held by her arms and shoulders. She is shaken in a quick, jerking motion.
• This causes bleeding inside the head.
• It is one of the most common causes of child abuse.

• Being stressed and upset is the number one cause.
• Often the caregiver does not mean to hurt the baby.
• Sometimes babies cry for a long time. The caregiver feels that shaking the baby is the only way to make the baby stop crying.
• The brain hits against the head bone (skull) over and over again. The brain bruises, swells and bleeds. This brain damage can be life-long.
• Shaking a baby can also cause injuries to the neck, back and eyes.

• Most children are under 5 years old.
• Babies are most at risk because their:
• Neck muscles are weak.
• Head is big compared to the rest of their body.
• Head bones (skull bones) are soft.
• There is space between the brain and skull.

• Being very fussy or irritated
• Seizures
• Sleepiness or not moving much
• Vomiting
• Not able to be kept awake
• Blood in the eyes
• Not breathing
• Not eating well
• Pale or bluish skin
• Head is turned to one side

• No, shaken baby syndrome is not contagious.

• Take the baby to the emergency room right away.
• Get help for the baby even if you are scared.
• She needs help now. DO NOT WAIT!

• A baby who is shaken can have problems for the rest of her life.
• Blindness
• Brain damage
• Paralysis — cannot move arms or legs
• Mental retardation
• Problems sucking and swallowing
• Coma — not able to wake up

• YES! It can be prevented.
• NEVER SHAKE A BABY!
• Do not hold the baby when you are mad.
• If the baby does not stop crying and you find yourself getting upset:
• Put the baby on her back in the crib, playpen or other safe place
• Close the door
• Walk away
• Check on her in 5 or 10 minutes after you are calm
• Try to calm down.
• Walk away — even outside. Remember, the baby is safe.
• Take a deep breath
• Call a friend or relative for help
• Ask a friend or relative to come and help for a while
• Vacuum — The noise can sometimes calm the baby. It can also be louder than her crying for a moment.
• Listen to music
• Read a book or magazine
• When you are calm, try helping the baby again.
• Take her for a ride in the stroller
• Give her a pacifier
• Make sure her clothing is not too tight
• Check for a fever
• Check for a diaper rash
• Hug the baby
• Sing or play music to her
• You are not a bad caregiver to be upset. Remember, NEVER SHAKE A BABY!

• If your child has been shaken, call 911 or take her to the emergency room right away. Get help for the baby even if you are scared. She needs help now. DO NOT WAIT!
• Call your doctor if your baby has a fever.
• Call your doctor if you think she is sick.
• Call your doctor if you cannot calm down.
• Call your doctor if you think you might hurt the baby.

Remember, NEVER SHAKE A BABY!

• Shaken baby syndrome is a very bad head injury. It is caused by shaking a baby violently.
• This causes bleeding inside the head.
• It commonly occurs when the caregiver gets stressed and upset over the baby’s crying.
• The caregiver feels that shaking the baby is the only way to make the baby stop crying.
• Often the caregiver does not mean to hurt the baby.
• Babies are most at risk.
• Injuries from shaken baby syndrome can be life-long.
• It CAN be prevented.
• Stop — put the baby on her back in the crib and check on her in 5 to 10 minutes after you have calmed down
• Calm down — walk away
• Try helping the baby again
• If you think your baby has been shaken, call 911 or take her to the emergency room right away.
• Get help for the baby even if you are scared. She needs help now. DO NOT WAIT!
• NEVER SHAKE A BABY!

• The ARC. Shaken Baby Syndrome. 1998 October. (cited 2003 July 30). URL: http://www.thearc.org/faqs/Shaken.html
• KidsHealth. Shaken Baby / Shaken Impact Syndrome. 2001 September. (cited 2003 July 30). URL: http://kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=107&cat_id=135&article_set=21782
• MEDLINEplus. Shaken baby syndrome. 2003 April 17. (cited 2003 July 30). URL: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000004.htm
• Montgomery County, PA Office of Children and Youth. Shaken Baby Syndrome. 2003 July 31. (cited 2003 July 30). URL: http://www.montcopa.org/mcocy/shaken%20baby.htm
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. NINDS Shaken Baby Information Page. 2001 July 1. (cited 2003 July 30). URL: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/shakenbaby.htm
• Prevent Child Abuse. National Shaken Baby Syndrome Campaign. 2000. (cited 2003 July 30). URL: http://www.preventchildabuse.com/shaken.htm
• Saskatchewan Institute on Prevention of Handicaps. Shaken Baby Syndrome Fact Sheet. (cited 2003 July 30). URL://www.usask.ca/medicine/prevent/sbs.html

Title Page

See related Patient Topics Brain and Nervous System, Child and Teen Health, Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Head and Brain Injuries, Infant and Newborn Care, Infant and Toddler Health or Injuries and Wounds.

See related Provider Topics Brain and Nervous System, Child and Teen Health, Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Head and Brain Injuries, Infant and Newborn Care, Infant and Toddler Health or Injuries and Wounds.

All contents copyright © 1992-2004 the Author(s) and The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.

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