That seems like one of those things that should be able to go without being said.
Unfortunately, not everyone knows about the dangers of shaking a baby. Statistics from the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome show that every year in the United States:
- At least 1,200 to 1,400 children are shaken
- 25 to 30% of shaken babies die
- Survivors of shaken baby syndrome are very likely to have lifelong complications, including brain damage and blindness
- Many more children may be unknown victims of shaken baby syndrome, but aren't discovered because no external trauma, such as a bruise, are noticed
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Shaken baby syndrome occurs when a baby is shaken violently, causing bleeding in the brain. Other associated injuries often include bleeding in the retina of the eye, spinal cord and neck injuries, and rib fractures.Symptoms of shaken baby syndrome typically include extreme fussiness, poor feeding, vomiting, seizures, and a baby may be sleeping much more than usual or hard to wake up (lethargic).
You should seek immediate medical attention if you think that your baby may have been a victim of shaken baby syndrome.
Shaken Baby Syndrome Victims
To help prevent shaken baby syndrome, it is important to educate all of your baby's caregivers that they should never shake a baby.Parents commonly think that only younger babies and infants can suffer from shaken baby syndrome. It is important to realize that even children up to age two to five years old can suffer from shaken baby syndrome if they are shaken.
That makes it important to remind yourself, your spouse, significant other, family members, friends, siblings and any other caregivers that they shouldn't shake your baby.
Sources: The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. National Institutes of Health. Shaken Baby Syndrome Information Page.
