Pediatr. praxi. 2020;21(2):74-78 | DOI: 10.36290/ped.2020.014
Abusive head trauma in infants and small children
- Dětské oddělení Nemocnice Na Bulovce, Praha
Shaken baby syndrome represents a type of abusive head trauma in small children. In this syndrome, an adult care-giver inflicts intracranial trauma in a child with vigorous movements and shaking of the child's body. These are usually performed in an attempt to appease a crying baby. As a consequence, subarachnoid/subdural bleeding, brain contusion, axonal injury and bilateral retinal bleeding may all develop. The syndrome may cause acute death, long-term neurologic morbidity or late mortality. Primary prevention consists of education of young adults and adolescents in knowledge of developmentally normal behaviour of children, coping with emotional stress when caring for a crying baby and spreading awareness of the risks of shaking a baby. Immediate pediatric intervention is crucial in secondary prevention of further damage to the baby. It should include hospital admission of the child even against parental consent, complex investigation and notification of the police.
Keywords: child abuse, craniocerebral trauma, primary prevention, secondary prevention.
Published: June 2, 2020 Show citation
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