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Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is the group of signs and symptoms that results from violently shaking an infant. It may or may not be a result of an impact to the head.
In Canada, there is a recent transition from using SBS to using the term “Traumatic Head Injury by Child Maltreatment (THI-CM)” within the prevention, health care and research fields. It is considered to be more accurate as it separates the diagnosis (traumatic head injury) from the likely cause of injury (child maltreatment). We will continue to use both THI-CM and SBS throughout this website as SBS is the more commonly known term.
- Traumatic Head Injury - Child Maltreatment
- Abusive Head Trauma
- Inflicted Head Trauma
- Intentional Traumatic Brain Injury
Crying, especially inconsolable crying, is the most common trigger for shaking and other forms of infant abuse. Inconsolable crying is normal and can be frustrating. Learn ways to soothe your crying baby on our Soothing Techniques page.
When an infant is being shaken, the head moves back and forth in a figure eight motion. This causes the brain and skull to move at different speeds in different directions. As the shaking continues, veins within the skull begin to break, leading to bleeding in and around the brain and eyes. Rib injuries can also occur from increased pressure. However, signs and severity of impact may or may not be visible from the outside.
In some cases of THI-CM/SBS, shaking an infant can cause serious internal harm even if not visible. A baby may appear normal after being shaken, but can develop health complications over time. Seek help as soon as you can.
RED FLAG SIGNS
Seek immediate medical help if you suspect your child has been violently shaken. Call 911 or take your child to the emergency department.
NON-SPECIFIC SIGNS
On their own, non-specific signs are not an indicator of SBS. However, if there are multiple signs, it is best to follow-up with your healthcare provider.
Shaking outcomes
Infants and babies are particularly vulnerable to shaking and the outcome can be devastating.
1 in 4 babies subjected to shaking will die. Of those who survive, as many as 80% will have negative lifelong consequences such as neurological injury and visual impairment.1,2
Beyond the heartbreaking toll on families and communities, THI-CM incidents are costly. The lifetime cost of a severe case of THI-CM is estimated to be approximately $6.1 million. Investing in well-developed THI-CM/SBS prevention programs, such as PURPLE, not only promotes child safety and health, but also saves costs to society.
Of course, the negative emotional and social impact of these preventable deaths far outweighs the financial savings.
In BC, investing only $5 per newborn on the PURPLE program means a cost savings of $15 per child cost to society and the health care system.3
Of course, the negative emotional and social impact of these preventable deaths far outweighs the financial savings.
Want to learn more about SBS?
Footnote
Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome BC (PSBSBC) delivers a primary prevention program to reduce the incidence of shaken baby syndrome in British Columbia.
We do this by providing timely, relevant, and scientifically sound information to parents, caregivers, and professionals involved in THI-CM cases, including: maternity nurses, health care professionals, and social workers.
Educate the public about early infant crying
Normalize the frustrating feelings that can emerge as a result of inconsolable crying and the pressures of caring for a newborn
Understand that it is okay to place the baby in a safe place, walk away, and take a break
Advocate that it is never okay to shake or hurt a baby
The BC Children’s Hospital Steering Committee on Shaken Baby Syndrome formed in early 2003 to examine the need and potential of a standardized prevention program for BC. A provincial environmental scan was completed, followed by a large three-year randomized-controlled trial. It was determined that the Period of PURPLE Crying® program (PURPLE) was the best program to educate new parents and caregivers.
Since 2009, PURPLE has been offered to all families of newborns throughout the province via maternity hospitals, home birth public health units, midwifery clinics, and community agencies. We continue to innovate to ensure that reliable and credible health information about infant crying and THI-CM is accessible for all BC families.
Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome BC (PSBSBC) is a program of the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit at BC Children’s Hospital.
Our program has been successful in reducing the rate of THI-CM/SBS in BC. It would not be as successful without the continued support of funding and the dedicated and caring nurses and providers who deliver the program to every newborn family in the province. The following graph highlights the difference between BC’s lower average rate compared to the rest of Canada and the United States.
Footnote
Ian is the Director of of Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome BC (PSBSBC); Director of the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit (BCIRPU); Professor of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia; Investigator and Co-Lead of the Evidence to Innovation Research Theme at the Research Institute at the BC Children’s Hospital; and, Scientific Director of The Community Against Preventable Injuries. He holds adjunct appointments at York University, Vancouver Coastal Health, and Fraser Health Research Institutes, and is a member of the Board of Directors of Parachute.
Karen is the PSBSBC Manager. She oversees program delivery, training, outreach, distribution, research, and community education to professionals supporting families of newborns. She leads knowledge translation and new initiatives for PSBSBC. Karen received her Master of City Planning from the University of Manitoba and has come from the middle and early years sector, specializing in collaborative approaches to community engagement with under represented populations and cross-sectoral integration. She loves dogs, pilates and sunny spots.
Fahra is the evaluation manager for PSBSBC. She has been a member of the BCIRPU since 2000. She is a specialist in injury data, epidemiology, visualizations, and evaluation. Fahra manages the data at the BCIRPU and is responsible for the data and interface for the Injury Data Online Tool (iDOT). She wears many other “hats” in her work on injury surveillance and conference planning. She is also the BCIRPU’s liaison for Northern, Interior, and Island Health Authorities. Along with her co-workers, Fahra was a recipient of the UBC President’s Staff Award in 2014.
Aygun joined the BCIRPU as a volunteer in 2018, and is currently working as a Graduate Academic Assistant for the Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome BC program. She received her Bachelor of Science from UBC in 2023 and is now working towards a Master of Public Health degree. She is interested in research focusing on pediatric health and development.
Since 2009, Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome BC (PSBSBC) has been committed to preventing shaken baby syndrome (SBS) and other forms of physical abuse in infants. Through research, support, and education, we support parents and caregivers as they navigate life as new parents. PSBSBC has achieved continuing reduction in THI-CM/SBS cases in BC. All donations will help us reach our vision of eradicating THI-CM/SBSand improving the care and safety of babies overall.
Donations are accepted through the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Please quote KDZ12342 (Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome BC program). Thank you for your support!
BC Children's Hospital
4480 Oak Street, F503
Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4
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