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Abusive Head Trauma is Deadliest Form of Abuse
Reporting Abuse is Everyone's Responsibility
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Call for Proposals:
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The 25th Annual "Kids Are Worth It!" Conference on Child Abuse & Neglect will be held in New Orleans, January 19-21, 2011. Workshop proposals should be submitted to PCA Louisiana no later than July 30th. Click here for an application.
New Sexual Predator Laws Take Effect in LA
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On July 7, Governor Bobby Jindal signed five bills into law to strengthen the ability of law enforcement to track down and punish sexual predators that prey on children. Click here to read more about the governor's new laws.
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ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA IS DEADLIEST FORM OF CHILD ABUSE |
Abusive Head Trauma, commonly referred to as Shaken Baby Syndrome, is the number one cause of fatal child abuse. Abusive Head Trauma is the general medical term for injuries or death caused by shaking young children. Infants under the age of 2 years are at the most risk for suffering the effects of Abusive Head Trauma.
A 2003 report in the Journal of the American Medical Association(1) estimated that in the U.S. an average of 300 children will die each year, and an additional 600 to 1,200 will be injured as a result of Abusive Head Trauma. Two-thirds of those injured will suffer severe and permanent disabilities. Abusive Head Trauma can result in loss of vision, brain damage, paralysis, seizures or death.
Medical professionals believe that thousands of additional cases of Abusive Head Trauma are being misdiagnosed or are not detected. Abusive Head Trauma often results in permanent, irreparable brain damage or death to an infant and may result in more than $1 million in medical costs to care for a single disabled child in just the first few years of life.
On January 16, 2007, the United States House of Representatives recognized the third week of April as National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week, proclaiming the significance of Shaken Baby Syndrome.
Research has found that the victims are generally between the ages of 0 to 4. There is a peak in cases when the child is between 2 and 4 months old. More boys are victims than girls. The perpetrators are generally male; often the mother’s boyfriend or the child’s father and are usually a primary caretaker. The primary trigger of Abusive Head Trauma has been inconsolable crying by the infant, unrealistic developmental expectations of the child and perpetrators with a violent predisposition.(2)
Possible indicators that a child has suffered Abusive Head Trauma:(3) |
- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Seizures
- Irritability
- Coma
- Difficulty breathing
- Rigidity
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- Sleep apnea
- Lethargy
- Fixed and dilated pupils
- An inability to lift the head
- Change in response to stimuli
- Poor sucking or swallowing
- Lack of smiling or vocalizing
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Occasionally, a frustrated parent or caregiver who cannot sooth a fussy baby will resort to shaking the child without realizing the damage that can ensue. The damage to an infant can be severe due to the child’s weak neck muscles, heavy head, growing and developing brain and thin skull. Providers should give parents information on the effects of shaking a baby and offer them these suggestions on how to care for a crying baby:
- Check to see if the baby’s diaper needs changing.
- Try offering the baby something to eat or drink.
- Try gently burping or rubbing the baby’s back.
- Take the baby’s temperature and try changing his or her clothes or coverings if the baby is feverish.
- Try lowering the lights and noise.
- Try gently rocking or giving the baby a bottle or a pacifier.
- A baby cannot be spoiled by responding to cries right away. Holding a child close and talking gently or singing can make the baby feel loved and secure.
The death of a child prompted the Louisiana legislature on March 31, 2010, to name April 19th as “Shaken Baby Prevention Day.”
Other information to share with parents on preventing Abusive Head Trauma, include:
- NEVER shake a baby, even while playing.
- Do not hold your baby during an argument.
- If you find yourself becoming annoyed or angry with your
baby, put him or her in the crib and leave the room. Try to
calm
down, and then call someone for support.
- Call a friend or relative to come and stay with your child
if you feel out of control.
- Seek the help of a counselor or attend parenting classes.
- Do not ignore the signs if you suspect child abuse in your home
or in the home of someone you know.
- If you need someone to talk to or more information, call KIDLINE at
1-800-CHILDREN (244-5373).
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(1) http://jama.ama-assn.org
(2) Abusive Head Trauma: Investigation and Prosecution Manual created by the Audrey Hepburn Children at Risk Evaluation Center
(3) www.KidsHealth.org
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