TBI Lawyer
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Shaken baby syndrome (SBS), also known as shaken impact syndrome, is a type of traumatic brain injury suffered by infants less than one year of age. As the name suggests, the injuries caused by SBS result from violent shaking of an infant.
How SBS Occurs
SBS is often caused by parents, babysitters, or other caretakers who shake an infant out of frustration. Although in many cases the caretaker does not intend to cause harm, they may fail to realize just how fragile an infant’s body really is.
Two factors contribute to a baby’s vulnerability to SBS – first, babies’ heads are generally disproportionately large compared to the rest of the body, and second, the neck muscles of a young infant are not developed enough to sufficiently stabilize the head. As a result, when a baby is shaken, his head jerks and rotates violently due to its weight and lack of support. Inside his skull, the infant’s brain bounces back and forth against the bone walls, causing tears in blood vessels and severe damage to the nerves. Subsequent swelling compresses brain tissue against the inside of the skull, exacerbating the damage.
The Symptoms of SBS
A child who suffers from SBS may display any or all of the following symptoms:
- Blindness
- Mental retardation
- Paralysis, both partial and total
- Cognitive and memory impairment
- Seizures
- Hearing loss
Furthermore, these symptoms may not manifest themselves right away; in milder cases the effects of SBS may go unnoticed for years, making it even more difficult to make a connection between the shaking incident and the resultant effects.
Some signs of SBS to watch for are:
- Inability to focus eyes
- Lethargy and decreased appetite
- Difficulty breathing
- Frequent vomiting
- Seizures
Because the symptoms and effects of SBS can vary in severity, SBS is often overlooked or misdiagnosed by doctors. Unfortunately, a lack of diagnosis may mean that improper shaking behavior is repeated by unsuspecting caretakers, worsening the situation.
Victims of SBS may suffer its effects throughout their lives, requiring therapy and assistance for years to come. If you or someone you love have been affected by an instance of SBS, contact a traumatic brain injury lawyer from Williams Kherkher to learn about your legal options. Call 866-950-9000 today for a free initial consultation.