SHAKEN
BABY SYNDROME
(information
provided by Mayo Clinic)
FACTS:
• It is estimated that 1,000-3,000 children
in the United States suffer from SBS each year.*
• One
fourth of victims of SBS die, and 80 percent of survivors suffer from permanent
damage.*
• In
the United States, the costs of hospitalization and continuing care for SBS
victims can total 1.2 to 1.6 billion dollars each year.*
• Some
estimate that up to half of infant deaths caused by child abuse are due to
shaken baby syndrome.*
Shaken Baby Syndrome and its resultant
injuries can occur within seconds of a child be shaken violently.*
Shaken
baby syndrome — also known as abusive head trauma, shaken impact syndrome,
inflicted head injury or whiplash shake syndrome — is a serious brain injury
resulting from forcefully shaking an infant or toddler.
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.
SYMPTOMS
Shaken
baby syndrome symptoms and signs include:
• Extreme
irritability
• Difficulty staying
awake
• Breathing problems
• Poor eating
• Tremors
• Vomiting
• Pale or bluish skin
• Seizures
• Paralysis
• Coma
Other
injuries that may not be initially noticeable include bleeding in the brain and
eye, damage to the spinal cord and neck and fractures of the ribs, skull and
bones. Evidence of prior child abuse also is common.
In
mild cases of shaken baby syndrome, a child may appear normal after being
shaken, but over time he or she may develop health, learning or behavior
problems.
When
to see a doctor
Seek
immediate help if you suspect your child has been injured by violent shaking.
Contact
your child's doctor or take your child to the nearest emergency room. Getting
medical care right away may save your child's life or prevent serious health
problems.
Health
care professionals are legally required to report all suspected cases of child
abuse to state authorities.
CAUSES
Babies
have weak neck muscles and often struggle to support their heavy heads. If a
baby is forcefully shaken, his or her fragile brain moves back and forth inside
the skull. This causes bruising, swelling and bleeding.
Shaken
baby syndrome usually occurs when a parent or caregiver severely shakes a baby
or toddler due to frustration or anger — often because the child won't stop
crying.
Shaken
baby syndrome isn't usually caused by bouncing a child on your knee, minor
falls or even rough play.
RISK FACTORS
For
parents and other caregivers, factors that may increase the risk of
inflicting shaken baby syndrome include:
• Unrealistic
expectations of babies
• Young or single
parenthood
• Stress
• Domestic violence
• Alcohol or
substance abuse
• Unstable family
situations
• Depression
• A history of
mistreatment as a child
Also,
men are more likely to inflict shaken baby syndrome than are women.
COMPLICATIONS
Just
a few seconds of shaking an infant can cause irreversible brain damage. Many
children affected by shaken baby syndrome die.
Survivors
of shaken baby syndrome may require lifelong medical care for conditions such
as:
• Partial or total
blindness
• Hearing loss
• Developmental delays,
learning problems or behavior issues
• Mental retardation
• Seizure disorders
• Cerebral palsy
WHAT CAN KIWANIS
CLUBS DO?
• Educate the public
by distributing this information at Health Fairs, Pediatrician’s
Offices, OB/GYN Offices, Urgent Care Facilities, Day Care providers etc.
Below is a link to
a Brochure from KPTI on Shaken Baby Syndrome which can be distributed to the
public. Check with KPTI as they may be able to provide Clubs with copies of the
brochure.
Y.C.P.O. CLUB NEWS
The Manchester New Hampshire
recently opened a Reading Corner in A Laundromat which is a YCPO Project
geared to encourage reading to children under the age of 5 while they are spending time at the laundromat with an adult.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop a love of reading
in young children while using time
productively and promoting quality family
interaction. Thank you
to the Manchester, New Hampshire Club!
The Caribou Maine Kiwanis Club received $200 grant money from the Kiwanis Foundation
of New England to establish a Reading Corner in a Laundromat. The Corner will
be up and working in a short time.
There is still money available from KFNE for a grant up to $200 to establish
a Reading Corner in A Laundromat. It is easy to apply at KFNE.org.
If you need more information or if I can help, please contact me. Early
intervention is the key in improving
literacy for our children
Finally, please email me about YCPO projects your club is
doing or has done so I can share these ideas with members in our District via
this newsletter. Thank you for all that
you do for our children in your community and in the world.
Ava Adams, District Coordinator
Young Children Priority ne
(YCPO)
New England and Bermuda District of Kiwanis
Scarborough Maine Kiwanis Club
email: faithava2008@yahoo.com
