Shaken Baby Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Brain bleeding or swelling and eye or neck injuries may occur without visible marks. Do not wait for bruising or shake a child to wake them or stop crying.

Related reading: Unconsciousness and emergency care.

Unusual lethargy or irritability, poor feeding, vomiting, breathing difficulty, seizures or unconsciousness may occur. Other illnesses can cause similar symptoms, making assessment essential.

Violent shaking or inflicted impact can severely injure the developing brain. Infant crying is normal and never justifies harm; caregiver support during exhaustion helps protect children.

Infants are especially vulnerable because their neck muscles are weak. Exhaustion, stress, violence and limited support may increase harmful behavior risk but neither justify nor alone establish abuse.

Specialists evaluate history, examination, imaging, eyes and laboratory tests, considering other injuries and alternative diseases. One finding alone does not establish abuse; comprehensive evaluation and safety are essential.

Care stabilizes breathing and circulation and treats seizures, bleeding or raised pressure as needed. Developmental follow-up, rehabilitation and a child-safety and family-support plan follow assessment.

Injury may cause vision or hearing loss, movement and learning difficulties, epilepsy or death. Some children need prolonged follow-up despite initially subtle symptoms.

Never shake a baby. If overwhelmed, place the baby on their back in a safe, empty cot, step away briefly to calm down, check on them and seek trusted help.