Inflicted traumatic brain injury (ITBI) or shaken baby syndrome (SBS) in Estonia.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Inflicted traumatic brain injury (ITBI) or shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is recognized as a major cause of disability and death in the paediatric population. AIM: To find out the incidence of ITBI in Estonia. METHODS: 26 cases of ITBI were recognized four children died, 22 survived. RESULTS: Of 26 children, 20 (77%) were boys and six (23%) were girls. Median age at admission to hospital was 3.9 mo, and the boys were younger than the girls. CONCLUSION: The overall incidence of ITBI was 28.7 per 100,000 infants. In the prospective group the incidence was 40.5 per 100,000, and in retrospective group 13.5 per 100,000. ITBI is not rare but not always a recognized form of child abuse. Healthcare professionals should be more aware of this condition.