Shaken Baby Syndrome is an abusive head trauma inflicted by violently shaking an infant. 

It can cause bleeding over the surface of the brain, swelling of the brain, bleeding at the back of the eyes, and other injuries not seen together in any other disease or medical condition. 

Shaken Baby Syndrome is a form of child abuse and is the leading cause of infant deaths in the United States. 

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Shaken Baby Syndrome can cause learning disabilities, physical disabilities, visual disabilities and blindness, hearing impairment, speech disabilities, Cerebral-palsy, seizures, behavioral disorders, cognitive impairment, and death. 

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Because Shaken Baby Syndrome is caused by anger and frustration, it is preventable. 

• Take a moment to breathe. 

• Learn stress and anger management techniques. 

• Ask for help. 

• Seek out other ways to calm your baby. 

• Let others know what you are dealing with. 

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Signs of Shaken Baby Syndrome include: 

• Lethargy/decreased muscle tone

• Extreme irritability

• Decreased appetite, poor feeding, poor sucking or swallowing, or vomiting

• Grab-type bruises on the arms or chest

• No smiling or vocalization

• Rigidity of posture

• Difficulty breathing

• Decreased level of consciousness

• Seizures

• Head or forehead swelling

• Inability to lift head

• Inability of eyes to focus or track movement

• Unequal size of pupils

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Reference: Mayo Clinic

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