This is a term used to define the injuries that occur as a result of shaking an infant violently or a young child by the arms, chest or shoulders causing the head to move back and forth violently.
The most vulnerable age group is infants between 0-12 months.
According to Teddy Bear Clinic these are the reasons parents shake babies:
- Frustration or anger resulting from the infant’s uncontrollable crying.
- Excessive parental stress.
- Not having enough support to help with taking care of the baby.
- Not being properly prepared for parenting.
- Low socio-economic status.
- Having been a victim of abuse.
According to Teddy Bear Clinic advises parents to do the following:
* When the baby starts to cry remain calm.
* Try to understand why the baby is crying.
*If you are a single parent always have someone assist you with the baby.
*Seek guidance about what it takes to parent an infant.
These are the effects of SBS according to Teddy Bear Clinic:
*Death.
*Blindness.
*Muscle weakness or paralysis.
*Development delays.
*Muscle constraints that may interfere with the infant’s movement speech and the manner of walking.
*Cerebral palsy.
*Seizures.
*Mental retardation.
*Learning problems.
