1. Shaken Baby
Syndrome
(SBS)
By Edithce Zambrano

2. What is It?
It is a head or neck injury which can happen
when an infant or a young child is shaken.

3. What Happens, Why
Babies?
O Large heavy heads.
O Weak neck muscles.
O Fragile central nervous
system.

4. SBS Can Occur from as Little
as 5 Seconds of Shaking.

5. This Can Result in:
Some symptoms can
include
Lethargy
Decreased appetite
Grab-type bruises on the
arms
Poor sucking or swallowing
Rigidity or posturing
More serious injuries are
Difficulty breathing
Seizures
Inability to suck or swallow
Inability to lift head
Inability of eyes to focus or
track movement

6. This Can Result in:
Other symptoms may
include
Changes in behavior
Irritability
Loss of consciousness
Pale or bluish skin
Vomiting and convulsions
Very serious injuries are
Physical signs of trauma
Broken, injured, or
dislocated bones
Injuries to the neck and
spine.
Eye damage

7. Why are Babies Shaken?
O Unrealistic expectations of babies.
O Young or single parenthood.
O Stress and frustration.
O Domestic violence.
O Alcohol or substance abuse.
O Unstable family situations.
O Depression.
O A history of mistreatment as a child.

8. Uniqueness of SBS
O Usually done in private.
O No witnesses.
O Motive exists in the mind of the prep.
O ‘Murder’ weapon is the hands.
O Subtle presentation in the E.R may lead to mis-
diagnosis or missed-diagnosis.

9. Profile of
Abusers/
Perps
O 70+% males;
fathers / uncles /
boyfriend of
mother / etc.
O Average age 22 yrs.
O 60+% babies
shaken are male.
O Day care providers:
licensed and
unlicensed.

10. What can you do to prevent a
tragedy?
O When you are frustrated, take time to calm yourself first.
O Take a few slow, deep breaths.
O Sit down, close your eyes and count to 20.
O Take your baby for a stroller ride.
O Play music or sing to your baby.
O Ask a friend to stay with your baby for a while.
O Make sure your baby is fed, burped and dry.
O Gently rock or walk your baby.
O Check for discomfort, diaper rash, teething or fever.
O Call the doctor if you think your baby is sick.

11. Tests and diagnosis
Computerized
tomography
(CT) scan.
Magnetic
resonance
imaging
(MRI).
Skeletal
survey.
Ophthalmolo
gical exam.
Blood tests.

13. Sources
O http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/
injury_prevention/shaken_baby_syndrome/
sbs_fact_sheet.htm
O http://www.medicinenet.com/
shaken_baby_syndrome/article.htm
O http://www.childabuseconsulting.com/shaken-baby-
syndrome.html
O http://stopsbs.org/facts/
O http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/shaken-baby-
syndrome/DS01157/DSECTION=tests%2Dand
%2Ddiagnosis
O http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THhFoYk7U40

14. END