Definition

Shaken Baby Syndrome is the tragedy that occurs when an infant or young child is violently shaken. A single shaking episode can result in whiplash-induced bleeding in and around the brain. The most severe cases can leave a child with brain damage, blindness, spinal injury and paralysis, even death. In addition to these tragic results, Shaken Baby Syndrome can also lead to delays in normal development and impaired motor and sensory skills. Often, there are no obvious outward sings of injury to a baby or young child's body, but there is injury inside, particularly in the head or behind the eyes.