Shaken baby syndrome

Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is the leading cause of preventable, traumatic head injury in those under the age of two years.

The term SBS is the most commonly used internationally although remains controversial as it indicates one exact cause of injury.

Learning objectives include:

• To gain an understanding of what SBS is and how injury occurs.
• To be able to identify appropriate investigations and referrals should there be a suspicion of SBS.
• To recognise injuries that may be present in shaken infants.
• To understand the prevalence of SBS.
• To recognise the causative triggers and social risk factors that leave the under two’s more susceptible to SBS.
• To gain an understanding on how to support, advise and educate carers to minimise the risk of their child being shaken.

Acknowledgements

This content was created by Joanne Smith Specialist Clinical Nurse DipHE Nursing (Child Health), in August 2016. It was reviewed by Dr Karen Hoare PhD, Senior Lecturer / Nurse Practitioner Children and Youth Primary Health Care, University of Auckland and Dr Miriam Nakatsuji MBChB, DipPaeds, Cert Women’s Health, FRNZCGP, Professional Teaching Fellow Clinical Skills Centre, FMHS.