Question 1

can an infant survive shaken baby syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Many fairly severe head injuries in children are recoverable.  Current research suggests that the brain has remarkable ability to recover and is considered to be more and more "plastic" than we previously thought.

Question 2

how do i know if my infant has shaken baby syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Shaken baby syndrome: Can have a whole spectrum of sigs &amp; symptoms. At worst: Coma, paralysis, seizures, bruising of face, bleeding into eyes (can be late development. However, child may show signs of physical abuce like broken ribs. Can have symptoms of severe fussiness or irritability, poor eating, vomiting, difficulty in staying awake and general change in affect. Suspect abuce if care giver appears inappropriate.

Question 3

can my infant get shaken baby syndrome from us driving on a dirt road to get home?

Accepted Answer

Shaken Baby syndrome: It would depend how bad the road was and how fast you were going. Off Roading where there are drastic bumps and the vehicle is jolted up/down and side to side can cause problems for an infant. If it is just a gravel road and your speed is slow thus avoiding any large jolts, the infant should be fine.

Question 4

could osteogenesis imperfecta look similar to shaken baby syndrome in a deceased infant?

Accepted Answer

Yes and No: Well, oi is a disorder of irregular collagen which leads to weaker bones and easy fractures. Most kids with oi present with multiple fractures early in life. Oi does not cause brain injury, or really contribute to significant intracranial bleeding or brain injury and does not cause significant retinal hemorrhaging. So, no, oi is not really similar at all to abusive head trauma except fractures.

Question 5

describe shaken baby syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Shaken baby syndrome: This is a condition now known as abusive head injury, wherein a child experiences injury to the brain due to head trauma. The trauma often results from violent shaking or from blunt force injury to the head. Symptoms may vary from mild to severe, including coma and death. There are certain characteristic findings that may be present on physical exam. Imaging may aid diagnosis.

Question 6

what is this shaken baby syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Shaken baby syndrome: This is a condition now known as abusive head injury, wherein a child experiences injury to the brain due to head trauma. The trauma often results from violent shaking or from blunt force injury to the head. Symptoms may vary from mild to severe, including coma and death. There are certain characteristic findings that may be present on physical exam. Imaging may aid diagnosis.

Question 7

what happens in shaken baby syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Brain Injury: The brain bounces back and forth in the skull resulting  in bruising and brocken blood vessels.  If severe enough increase in intracranial pressure and inability to get the nutrition it needs to stay alive.   In ability for the fluid then to drain resulting in hydrocephalous.

Question 8

what are the consequences of shaken baby syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Worst case: death: Shaken baby syndrome causes brain injury; therefore, brain damage is the consequence -- developmental delays, school difficulties.  But because it is a form of child abuse there are many other consequences -- bonding problems, emotional problems, fear, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.

Question 9

what are the after effects of shaken baby syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Shaken baby syndrome: Children may have long-term neurologic problems after shaken-baby syndrome or abusive head injury, depending upon the severity of injury. Some patients may have seizures, cognitive disability, motor disability, and/or sensory disability. Some patients can die. Some patients may remain encephalopathic after this and be completely dependent upon caregivers for the remainder of their lives.

Question 10

are the symptoms of meningitis and shaken baby syndrome similar in any way?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: Both meningitis and shaken baby can present with seizures and altered mental status. Meningitis, however, usually presents with fever. 
Newborns and infants do not even have to have fever and can present with low temperature or change in mental status with meningitis, so to answer your question it can be difficult to tell without additional studies like ct scans and spinal fluid results.

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What is this shaken baby syndrome?

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What are the after effects of shaken baby syndrome?

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Are the symptoms of meningitis and shaken baby syndrome similar in any way?

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