What's the treatment for shaken baby syndrome?
Appropriate treatment is determined by the type and severity of the trauma. Physicians may medically manage both internal and external injuries. Behavioral and educational impairments as a result of the injuries require the attention of additional specialists. Children with shaken baby syndrome may need physical therapy, speech therapy, vision therapy, and special education services. Shaken baby syndrome is preventable with public education. Adults must be actively taught that shaking a child is never acceptable and can cause severe injury or death.
When the frustration from an incessantly crying baby becomes too much, caregivers should have a strategy for coping that does not harm the baby. The first step is to place the baby in a crib or playpen and leave the room in order to calm down. Counting to 10 and taking deep breaths may help. A friend or relative may be called to come over and assist. A calm adult may then resume trying to comfort the baby. A warm bottle, a dry diaper, soft music, a bath, or a ride in a swing, stroller, or car may be offered to soothe a crying child. Crying may also indicate pain or illness, such as from abdominal cramps or an earache. If the crying persists, the child should be seen by a physician. |
More information on shaken baby syndrome
What is shaken baby syndrome? - Shaken baby syndrome is a collective term for the internal head injuries a baby or young child sustains from being violently shaken.
What causes shaken baby syndrome? - Infants and small children are especially vulnerable to shaken baby syndrome because their neck muscles are still too weak to adequately support their disproportionately large heads.
What're the symptoms of shaken baby syndrome? - Symptoms of shaken baby syndrome include vomiting, difficulty breathing, sucking, swallowing, or making sounds, seizures, and altered consciousness.
How is a shaken baby syndrome diagnosed? - The diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome is usually made by an eye exam. The diagnosis is confirmed by the results of either a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
What's the treatment for shaken baby syndrome? - Children with shaken baby syndrome may need physical therapy, speech therapy, vision therapy, and special education services. |
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