A Case of Shaken Baby Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Shaken baby syndrome refers to the group of nonaccidental injuries occuring in infants and children as a consequence of violent shaking. The characteristic injuries include subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhages, retinal hemorrhages, traction-typed metaphyseal fracture of long bone and fractures of the ribs. General physical findings may include bruising and burns, but sometimes no extracranial injuries are detected. Affected children are nearly always under 2 years of age or younger. Common symptoms include lethargy, irritability, seizures, increased or decreased muscle tone, poor feeding, impaired consciousness, vomiting and apnea. We experienced a case of shaken baby syndrome in a 3-month-old girl. Although the history of trauma(shaking) is little known, our findings of clinical and radiographic features corresponded to shaken baby syndrome. (J Korean Pediatr Soc 2000;43:851-855)