Shaken Baby Syndrome Should Be Renamed to “Abusive Head Trauma” Says American Academy of Pediatrics
Romanucci & Blandin, in Chicago, applauds recommendations made by the American Academy of Pediatrics to rename the diagnostic term “shaken baby syndrome” to “abusive head trauma,” which it calls a more comprehensive diagnosis for brain, skull and other injuries inflicted on infants. The new term, which should be used in medical records, may provide more clarity in the courtroom, they say.
This serious and clearly definable form of child abuse results from extreme rotational cranial acceleration induced by violent shaking or shaking/impact. Greater attention and resources should be devoted to prevention of abusive injuries, according to the Academy, which noted that head injuries are the leading cause of traumatic death and the leading cause of child abuse fatalities.
