Shaken baby syndrome is a situation that can happen when the baby is shaken back and forth with force and without the head being supported, which can cause bleeding and lack of oxygen in the baby's brain, as neck muscles are very weak, lacking the strength to properly support the head.
This syndrome can happen until the age of 5, but it is more frequent in babies between 6 and 8 weeks old during innocent play, like throwing the child up, or in an attempt to stop the child from crying, which is the cause more common.
Symptoms of shaken baby syndrome
The symptoms of the syndrome are difficult to identify because babies are unable to express what they feel, but problems such as:
- Excessive irritability; Dizziness and difficulty standing up; Difficulty breathing; Lack of appetite; Tremors; Vomiting; Pale or bluish skin; Headache; Difficulty seeing; Seizures.
Thus, it is necessary to be aware of signs such as irritation, constant crying, drowsiness, vomiting and the presence of bruises on the baby's body. In addition, it is important to remember that the symptoms do not usually appear soon after the child's sudden shaking, but appear a few hours or days after the sudden agitation.
Although the shaken baby syndrome is usually associated with sudden movements made in an attempt to make the baby cry, it can also happen as a consequence of trying to revive the child in the face of a life-threatening situation, such as choking and coughing, for example.
Main sequels
The child's brain is still very sensitive until 2 years of age, but the worst sequelae occur mainly in babies under 6 months, with developmental delay, mental retardation, paralysis, loss of vision, hearing loss, seizures, coma. and death due to the rupture of blood vessels or nerves that reach the brain.
In most cases, this syndrome appears in unstable families, with stressed parents, who do not cope well with the arrival of the baby or with a history of alcoholism, depression or family abuse.
What to do
It is necessary to be attentive to the signs of changes in the behavior that the baby gives and to take him to the doctor in case of any symptoms of the shaken baby syndrome, so that complementary tests such as blood tests, X-rays or tomography are performed, which check if there are changes in the brain. In addition, it should be noted whether the child is afraid of a relative or caregiver, who may be the source of ill-treatment or abusive play.
It is also important to remember that cradling the baby in your arms, rocking the baby on your lap and holding your head or using the stroller to transport him, even on terrain that causes jolts, are not causes of health risk for the child.
How to treat
The treatment of shaken baby syndrome varies according to sequelae and injuries caused by sudden movement, and the use of medication, psychotherapy or surgery may be necessary to repair the damage. In addition, it is important that parents and caregivers also seek help from a psychotherapist to help manage stress and anger, and learn to deal calmly and patiently with the child, as one of the factors that lead to the baby's shaking it is the fact that the baby cries uncontrollably. Check out some tips to make the baby stop crying.
