[Brain injury following child maltreatment syndrome in newborns and young children. Shaken baby syndrome]. / Cherepno-mozgovaya travma v strukture sindroma zhestokogo obrashcheniya s det'mi u mladentsev i detei rannego vozrasta. Sindrom tryaski mladentsa.

BACKGROUND: Shaken baby syndrome is widely discussed in the literature. This syndrome is considered as a variant of child maltreatment syndrome. In the English-language literature, there are data on high incidence of this syndrome and difficult diagnosis. There are no such diagnosis in the Russian and reports devoted to this issue. OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence and nature of injuries following child maltreatment/shaken baby syndrome in infants and young children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed case records of 3668 patients aged 1-36 month between 2017 and 2021 with injury/suspected traumatic brain injury (TBI). Mild TBI was in 47.2% of patients, moderate and severe - in 56.8% of patients. Twenty-eight children admitted with GCS score 3-8. CT was performed in case of risk factors for intracranial injuries (1703 patients). Abnormalities were found in 71.6% of cases. Sixty-four children required surgical treatment. Overall mortality rate was 0.7%. RESULTS: Accidental trauma was found in 3664 cases. We verified child maltreatment/shaken baby syndrome in only 4 (0.1%) cases. At the alleged moment of injury, there were male persons (cohabitant or guardian) with the child that is consistent with literature data. In all 4 cases, we observed severe combined TBI. In one case, brain damage was regarded as a result of chronic trauma. Indeed, MRI diagnosed thrombosis of bridging veins along convexital parts of the frontal, parietal and occipital lobes. There were GOS grade I in 2 patients (death), grade III in 1 patient (severe disability) and grade IV in 1 patient (recovery). CONCLUSION: Child maltreatment/shaken baby syndrome is less common among infants and young children in the Russian Federation. This may be due to national, cultural and religious traditions. Indeed, infants and children under 3 years of age are cared for by female persons. The mechanism of injury (shaking) leads to typical multiple injuries involving various organs and systems. These damages require multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment. MRI-confirmed thrombosis of bridging veins may be an additional diagnostic sign indicating the mechanism of injury.

Acute presentation of abusive head trauma.

Child abuse is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The leading cause of child physical abuse related deaths is abusive head trauma, formerly known as shaken baby syndrome, making the rapid identification and assessment of these children critical. The clinical presentation of cases of abusive head trauma ranges from neurological complaints, such as seizures, to vague or subtle symptoms, such as vomiting. This results in frequent missed diagnoses of abusive head trauma. The identification of abusive head trauma relies on a thorough medical history and physical examination, followed by lab evaluation and imaging. The goal of the evaluation is to discover further injury and identify possible underlying non-traumatic etiologies of the patient's symptoms. In this article we present a framework for the assessment of abusive head trauma and provide information on common presentations and injuries, as well as differential diagnoses. A strong foundational knowledge of abusive head trauma will lead to greater recognition and improved safety planning for victims of this unfortunate diagnosis.

Medical and Legal Uncertainties and Controversies in "Shaken Baby Syndrome" or Infant "Abusive Head Trauma".

Uncertainties and controversies surround "shaken baby syndrome" or infant "abusive head trauma". We explore Vinaccia v The Queen (2022) 70 VR 36; [2022] VSCA 107 and other selected cases from Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. On expert opinion alone, a "triad" of clinical signs (severe retinal haemorrhages, subdural haematoma and encephalopathy) is dogmatically attributed diagnostically to severe deliberate shaking with or without head trauma. However, the evidence for this mechanism is of the lowest scientific level and of low to very low quality and therefore unreliable. Consequently, expert opinion should not determine legal outcomes in prosecuted cases. Expert witnesses should reveal the basis of their opinions and the uncertainties and controversies of the diagnosis. Further, the reliability of admissions of guilt while in custody should be considered cautiously. We suggest abandonment of the inherently inculpatory diagnostic terms "shaken baby syndrome" and "abusive head trauma" and their appropriate replacement with "infantile retinodural haemorrhage".

Abusive head trauma and crying infant-Public awareness of newborn and infant trauma.

AIM: Crying seems to be a common trigger for abusive head trauma (AHT), which is the leading cause of fatalities from physical abuse in infants. Our objective was to evaluate knowledge of AHT, crying infants and correct behavioural measures in a general population. METHODS: An online questionnaire (LimeSurvey) was created to assess the risk of shaking. The online survey contained a total of 41 questions, including a demonstration of a previously recorded video in which an infant doll is shaken. RESULTS: A total of 319 people, 245 of them (76.8%) with own children, participated in the study. Almost all respondents (98.4%) were aware of serious injuries due to shaking, even to the point of death (98.1%). Most participants (97.5%) had heard the term 'shaking trauma' prior but did not receive any professional information, neither before nor after birth (85.2% or 86%), or during follow-up examinations (88.5%). The majority of the participants (95%) considered that useful coping strategies in infant crying were inappropriate. CONCLUSION: The consequences of shaking an infant were common knowledge in a normal population, whereas there was a knowledge gap regarding the management of excessive crying infants. Prevention programmes should mainly focus on male caregivers during postnatal care.

Shaking Up Our Approach: The Need for Characterization and Optimization of Pre-clinical Models of Infant Abusive Head Trauma.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a large societal and individual burden. In the first year of life, the vast majority of these injuries are the result of inflicted abusive events by a trusted caregiver. Abusive head trauma (AHT) in infants, formerly known as shaken baby syndrome, is the leading cause of inflicted mortality and morbidity in this population. In this review we address clinical diagnosis, symptoms, prognosis, and neuropathology of AHT, emphasizing the burden of repetitive AHT. Next, we consider existing animal models of AHT, and we evaluate key features of an ideal model, highlighting important developmental milestones in children most vulnerable to AHT. We draw on insights from other injury models, such as repetitive, mild TBIs (RmTBIs), post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE), hypoxic-ischemic injuries, and maternal neglect, to speculate on key knowledge gaps and underline important new opportunities in pre-clinical AHT research. Finally, potential treatment options to facilitate healthy development in children following an AHT are considered. Together, this review aims to drive the field toward optimized, well-characterized animal models of AHT, which will allow for greater insight into the underlying neuropathological and neurobehavioral consequences of AHT.

Retinodural haemorrhage of infancy, abusive head trauma, shaken baby syndrome: The continuing quest for evidence.

The shaken baby syndrome was originally proposed in the 1970s without any formal scientific basis. Once data generated by scientific research was available, the hypothesis became controversial. There developed essentially two sides in the debate. One side claimed that the clinical triad of subdural haemorrhage, retinal haemorrhage, and encephalopathy, or its components, is evidence that an infant has been shaken. The other side stated this is not a scientifically valid proposal and that alternative causes, such as low falls and natural diseases, should be considered. The controversy continues, but the contours have shifted. During the last 15 years, research has shown that the triad is not sufficient to infer shaking or abuse and the shaking hypothesis does not meet the standards of evidence-based medicine. This raises the issue of whether it is fit for either clinical practice or for the courtroom; evidence presented to the courts must be unassailable. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: There is insufficient scientific evidence to assume that an infant with the triad of subdural haemorrhage (SDH), retinal haemorrhage, and encephalopathy must have been shaken. Biomechanical and animal studies have failed to support the hypothesis that shaking can cause SDH and retinal haemorrhage. Patterns of retinal haemorrhage cannot distinguish abuse. Retinal haemorrhages are commonly associated with extracerebral fluid collections (including SDH) but not with shaking. Infants can develop SDH, retinal haemorrhage, and encephalopathy from natural diseases and falls as low as 1 foot. The shaking hypothesis and the literature on which it depends do not meet the standards of evidence-based medicine.

The Eyes Have It: How Critical are Ophthalmic Findings to the Diagnosis of Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma?

Pediatric abusive head trauma (AHT), still colloquially known as shaken baby syndrome, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among infants. Controversy has grown surrounding this diagnosis, and the specificity of the clinical findings-subdural hemorrhage, cerebral edema, and retinal hemorrhages-has been challenged. A literature search of peer reviewed publications on PubMed pertaining to the history, clinical, and pathologic features of AHT was conducted using the terms "shaken baby syndrome," "non-accidental trauma," "abusive head trauma," "inflicted traumatic brain injury," "shaken impact syndrome," and "whiplash shaken infant syndrome." Focus was placed on articles discussing ophthalmic findings in AHT. Retinal hemorrhages-particularly those that are too numerous to count, occurring in all layers of the retina (preretinal, intraretinal, subretinal), covering the peripheral pole and extending to the ora serrata, and accompanied by retinoschisis and other ocular/periocular hemorrhages-are highly suggestive of AHT, particularly in the absence of otherwise explained massive accidental trauma. Although the diagnosis has grown in controversy in recent years, AHT has well-documented clinical and pathologic findings across a large number of studies.

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) or Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma from Shaking: Guidelines for Interventions During the Perinatal Period from the French National College Of Midwives.

Shaken baby syndrome is the most severe head injury in children. Shaking is an extremely violent gesture, often repeated. The children affected are generally less than a year old, in 2/3 of cases, less than 6 months old. More than 10% of them die, and more than three-quarters of the survivors have long-term effects. Prevention is therefore essential. When a parent (or any person) is strongly upset by an infant's uncalmable crying, the best thing for them to do is to lay the child down in a supine position in his or her bed, leave the room, and then ask for help.

A suspected case of shaken baby syndrome-clinical management in Germany: a case-based overview.

PURPOSE: Each year, between 100 and 200 cases with shaken baby syndrome (SBS) are hospitalized in Germany. The reported incidence is 14 in 100,000 children. About 10 to 30% of the affected children do not survive. A high number of unreported cases are assumed. The rate of lifelong disability is high. The current situation in respect of abusive head injuries in infants has been investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case-based overview on the management of SBS in a German reference center for pediatric neurosurgery is presented and discussed against the background of forensic data and child protection network institutions and guidelines. RESULTS: The presented case is an example of a typical SBS presentation. All necessary diagnostic and therapeutic steps are explained and evaluated according to the existing guidelines in Germany. The authors state that hospital SOP can help to detect suspected cases of SBS and define the role of the pediatric neurosurgeon. Although the abusive mechanism of a head trauma is clear in most cases, forensic methods lack the precision to identify a perpetrator in all of them. According to an analysis of a multi-center study on criminal proceedings in Germany, 50% of the proceedings were closed without judgment due to lack of suspicion. Out of the remaining half with judgment, in 17%, the court decided on acquittal since the perpetration could not be assigned to a specific individual. CONCLUSION: Prevention is the most important factor to protect children from death and disability caused by inflicted brain injury. Pediatric healthcare professionals must be aware of typical signs of suspected child abuse, SBS in particular, and institutional SOP can help to improve management and outcome in these children. Forensic methods lack the precision to identify a perpetrator in every case.

Abusive head trauma in small children - a single-centre experience in Finland.

Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is a challenging condition from both a medical and legal perspective. The path of the patients differs significantly from those with noninflicted traumas. While treating these cases, it is essential that all history, information and treatment are comprehensively documented. This article describes the investigations and interventions necessary as soon as SBS is suspected. The Oulu University Hospital protocol for suspected child abuse is described. Authors also give an overview of the SBS path in Finland from the police and prosecution's point of view.