A traumatic brain injury caused to a baby is called as shaken baby syndrome. Infants below a year of age are most susceptible to this type of syndrome. A small baby has gentle neck muscles that hold a large and heavy head. When the head is violently shaken it causes the brain to bounce within the skull leading to bleeding, swelling and injury. Injury or swelling in the brain may cause permanent brain damage or death. This type of injury is almost always accidental. Violent shaking of the infant or child abuse can also result in shaken baby syndrome. Certain symptoms that indicate shaken baby syndrome are: poor feeding, vomiting...
, convulsions, lethargy, breathing problems and extreme irritability. See also shaken baby syndrome facts
The brain hemorrhage and swelling cause such symptoms among infants with shaken baby syndrome. The characteristics associated with the shaken baby syndrome that can be immediately noticed are:
Damage to the retina of the eye may cause permanent blindness.
Surviving shaken baby syndrome may result in neurological or mental disorders that may require lifelong medical care. Treatment for shaken baby syndrome includes providing life sustaining measures such as surgery to stop internal bleeding and respiratory support. Brain scans such as MRI and CT scan is used to diagnose the condition and take proactive measures. Ophthalmologic and neurological evaluations may also be necessary to assess damage to the eyes and brain. Physicians are also asked to report such cases if suspected of child abuse and are also granted immunity from law suit liabilities.
Children surviving the shaken baby syndrome may require physical therapy, speech therapy, vision therapy and most probably also need special education. Public education can reduce chances of shaken baby syndrome. Awareness of such a possibility can reduce the chances of shaken baby syndrome. Expecting mothers must be told about ways to handle the child and educate others to take care of the child through gentlest of ways. Violent reactions to newborns’ demands can be curtailed with the help of: having family or spouse support, comforting the child through various mediums to reduce crying, choosing other forms of mind and body relaxation techniques when baby is asleep. A crying child may also indicate other ailments such as abdominal cramps, rashes or earache. Discuss with a physician who is likely to be the best guide towards better parenting.
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