Shaken baby syndrome is a serious brain injury caused by shaking the baby forcefully back and forth without the head being well supported. This causes bleeding and a decrease in oxygen to the brain, leading to symptoms such as excessive irritability, vomiting or difficulty breathing.
This syndrome can occur up to 4 or 5 years of age, but is more common in babies between 6 and 8 weeks, especially due to innocent games, such as throwing the child in the air, or trying to stop the child from crying. this being the most common cause.
The treatment of shaken baby syndrome must be carried out by a pediatrician or neuropediatrician, and may vary according to the degree of brain injury and the part of the brain affected, and the use of oxygen therapy, medication or even surgery may be indicated.
Symptoms of Shaken Baby Syndrome
The main symptoms of shaken baby syndrome are:
- Difficulty breathing;
- Excessive irritability;
- Excessive drowsiness;
- Decreased ability to interact;
- Lack of appetite or refusal to eat;
- Slowness or apathy;
- Body rigidity;
- Tremors;
- Chills;
- Vomiting;
- Pale or bluish skin;
- Low body temperature;
- Dizziness or vertigo;
- Seizures;
- Coma.
In addition, other symptoms may be present, such as a low or sunken fontanelle, fractures in the bones, ribs or skull, bleeding behind the eyes, bruises or bruises on the baby’s body.
It is important to pay attention to signs of changes in the baby’s behavior and take him immediately to the nearest hospital or emergency room if any symptoms of shaken baby syndrome appear, as delay in diagnosis and treatment can cause serious consequences and put him at risk. the baby’s life.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome is made by a pediatrician or neuropediatrician through assessment of symptoms and the onset of symptoms, health history, physical examination of the baby and fundus examination.
In addition, the doctor must order tests, such as X-rays, MRI or CT scans, to check for changes in the brain or bone fractures.
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The doctor may also order laboratory tests such as a complete blood count, biochemical panel, liver and kidney function tests, as well as urine tests, to assess the baby’s health status.
In addition, these laboratory tests can help the doctor rule out other health conditions that can cause symptoms similar to shaken baby syndrome, such as brain infections, clotting disorders, arteriovenous malformation in the brain or type 1 glutaric aciduria, for example.
Possible causes
Shaken baby syndrome is caused by shaking or shaking the baby back and forth forcefully without the head being supported, which causes the brain to move inside the skull, resulting in head trauma and severe brain damage. , such as swelling, bleeding or bruising in the brain.
Some factors can contribute to guardians or caregivers shaking the baby abruptly and causing shaken baby syndrome, such as:
- Trying to make the baby stop crying;
- Unrealistic expectations about motherhood/fatherhood;
- Difficulty for the baby to breastfeed;
- Baby potty training;
- Chronic and frequent colic in the baby;
- Depression, including postpartum depression;
- Stress;
- Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages or drugs of abuse;
- Family instability;
- Domestic violence;
- History of childhood abuse.
Although shaken baby syndrome is normally associated with sudden movements made in an attempt to make the baby cry, it can also occur as a result of trying to revive the child in a life-threatening situation, such as choking or a coughing fit. for example.
How the treatment is carried out
The treatment of shaken baby syndrome must be carried out as quickly as possible in the hospital with guidance from a pediatrician or neuropediatrician and varies according to the degree of damage caused by the sudden movement, and the part of the brain affected.
Generally, the first treatment is oxygen therapy to maintain breathing, reduce respiratory discomfort and increase oxygen levels in the baby’s body and brain. In more serious cases, intubation and mechanical ventilation may be necessary.
In addition, the doctor may apply serum and electrolytes directly into the baby’s vein to improve blood pressure and blood glucose levels, and apply medicine into the vein to reduce intracranial pressure and swelling in the brain.
In some cases, surgery may be needed to stop brain bleeding or hemorrhage, reduce intracranial pressure, or remove damaged parts of the brain.
Furthermore, it is important that parents and caregivers also seek help from a psychotherapist to help control stress and anger, and learn to deal calmly and patiently with the child, as one of the factors that lead to baby shaking It’s the fact that the baby cries uncontrollably. Check out some tips to make your baby stop crying.
Possible sequels
Some sequelae that may arise from shaken baby syndrome are:
- Microcephaly or hydrocephalus;
- Blindness or vision problems;
- Hearing loss, which may be permanent;
- Developmental delay;
- Speech delay;
- Learning difficulties;
- Intellectual deficit;
- Behavioral problems;
- Paralisia cerebral;
- Weakness or lack of motor coordination;
- Involuntary increase in muscle contraction;
- Seizures;
- Epilepsy.
A child’s brain is still very sensitive until the age of 2, but the worst consequences occur mainly in babies under 6 months of age.
Furthermore, in the most serious cases, coma and death may occur due to rupture of the blood vessels or nerves that reach the brain.
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