Shakin baby syndrome - Essay Example

Furthermore, the common perpetrators are normally male in 65% to 90% of reported cases. To this end, they are either the mother’s husband or boyfriend (Buttram, 9). Incidentally, whenever a child’s head is continuously shaken back and forth, the head rotates uncontrollably since the neck muscles have not been fully developed; hence there is minimal support for their heads (Buttram, 9). To this end, following the violent and erratic movement, the brain is pitched forwards and backwards within the infants’ skull.

This leads to a rupturing of the nerves and blood vessels located all over the brain. The brain tissue is also torn. In addition, bleeding and bruising to the brain occurs when it strikes the inside of the skull (Comer,18). The injury also stands the chance of being aggravated in the case that the shaking episode concludes with impact such as knocking against a crib mattress or wall. This is due to the cumulative forces of acceleration and deceleration which are significantly strong. Following an end to the shaking episode, the resulting swelling in the brain may lead to extreme pressure inside the skull.

This consequently causes a compression of the blood vessels that eventually cause widespread injury to delicate structures in the baby’s brain. . To this end, the severity of the signs and symptoms normally depend on the force and duration of the shaking, the recurrence of the shaking episodes as well as whether impact was involved. In some very violent cases, the victim may end up in shock, suffering from seizures or unconscious upon arriving at the emergency room (Comer, 18). As far as a child who is suffering from less severe shaken syndrome, the signs and symptoms are many.

These may include, irritability, lethargy, poor swallowing of food or suckling, seizures, decreased appetite, unequal pupil size, alterations in consciousness, vomiting, inability to track movement or focus the eyes (Palusci, 24).There are physical indicators of a parent knowing if someone shook the baby. These include glassy eyes or rigidity in appearance. Neurological changes normally occur as the brain cells are destroyed and oxygen supply to the brain is depleted. In cases of severity, the baby may suffer from seizures, exhibit difficulty in breathing or heart failure.

There are long-term and irreversible effects in the event of severe shaken baby syndrome. To this end, survivors of shaken baby syndrome normally exhibit seizure, total or partial blindness, impaired intellect, attention and memory problems, cerebral palsy, learning and speech impairments, developmental delays, as well as hearing loss (Comer,18). As far as diagnosis of Shaken Baby Syndrome is concerned, a majority of cases are reported as “silent injuries.” This means that most caregivers or parents rarely provide a medical history of any shaking injury or head trauma that affected the baby.

Consequently, doctors at times are ignorant of looking for any physical or internal signs. The resulting situation is that babies can end up having multiple injuries that