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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffShaken baby syndrome — also known as abusive head trauma, shaken impact syndrome, inflicted head injury or infant whiplash syndrome — is a serious brain injury that occurs when an infant or toddler is forcefully shaken. Shaken baby syndrome destroys a child's brain cells and prevents his or her brain from getting enough oxygen. Shaken baby syndrome is a form of child abuse that can result in permanent brain damage or death.
Shaken baby syndrome is preventable. Help is available for parents who are at risk of harming a child. Parents also can educate other caregivers about the dangers of shaken baby syndrome.
- Parenting corner Q&A: Shaken baby syndrome. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/publiced/BR_ShakenBaby.htm. Accessed Aug. 10, 2009.
- American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect. Shaken baby syndrome: Rotational cranial injuries - Technical report. Pediatrics. 2001;108:206.
- Never shake your baby! March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/prematurity/28127.asp. Accessed Aug. 10, 2009.
- Christian CW, et al. Abusive head trauma in infants and children. Pediatrics. 2009;123:1409.
- NINDS shaken baby syndrome information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/shakenbaby/shakenbaby.htm. Accessed Aug. 10, 2009.
- Christian C, et al. Epidemiology, mechanisms, and types of abusive head injury in infants and children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 11, 2009.
- Christian C, et al. Evaluation and diagnosis of abusive head injury in infants and children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 11, 2009.
