What is Shaken-Baby Syndrome?

Almost half of all child abuse cases involving infants are due to Shaken-Baby Syndrome, according to a reference guide on abuse by GW Medical Publishing, but what is it? Shaken-Baby Syndrome is just as its name suggests: A type of trauma that occurs when a baby is shaken in a violent manner. Abusive pediatric head trauma can seriously affect the rest of a baby’s life. Shaking a baby causes the brain to shift violently and unnaturally inside a developing skull. The trauma to the brain can cause hematoma, retinal damage and soft tissue injuries. Extra pressure in the brain can reduce blood flow, lowering the amount of oxygen traveling to critical brain tissues. Child abusers who are guilty of shaking babies are often responsible for long-term damages and life-long disabilities.

Child Abuse in North Carolina

A Holly Springs resident, Carlos Murray, was recently charged with child abuse involving Shaken-Baby Syndrome. Murray’s baby exhibited classic symptoms of Shaken-Baby Syndrome, with a bruised nose and swollen eyes. Infants suffering Shaken-Baby Syndrome may also experience broken ribs and vertebrae fractures. Other symptoms include lethargy, breathing issues, poor feeding or pale skin. Shaken-Baby Syndrome is usually present in children under the age of 2. The only type of medical care is emergency care, which usually involves treating internal bleeding, cranial pressure or respiratory issues. Otherwise, medical tests will only show the damage caused by Shaken-Baby Syndrome, which can be blindness in addition to brain damage.

Preventing Shaken-Baby Syndrome

One way to prevent injuries from Shaken-Baby Syndrome is to spread awareness about the harms caused by shaking an infant. Tell new caregivers and babysitters about the severe damage that shaking a baby causes.

NC Child Abuse Attorneys

Children who suffer Shaken-Baby Syndrome often have a lifetime of special care needs to treat brain and vision issues. Medical treatment costs associated with long-term injuries from Shaken-Baby Syndrome should be compensated by the person who inflicted the child abuse. NC child abuse attorneys in Raleigh, Fayetteville and Dunn with Brent Adams & Associates handle cases from the mountains to the coast of NC and offer free confidential consultations in their offices or in clients’ homes.