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Preventing Abusive Head Trauma
Abusive head trauma (AHT) involves an inflicted injury to the head and its contents, including injuries caused by shaking and blunt impact. The term "shaken baby syndrome" (SBS) is commonly used to describe one form of AHT. The following resources address different strategies and programs to prevent AHT/SBS, including State and local examples.
National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
Strives to prevent SBS/AHT through the development and implementation of education programs, public policy, and research to establish, support, and train networks for families, caregivers, and professionals. Also see the Period of PURPLE Crying® prevention program.
Heads Up: Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Offers educational tools and resources for preventing SBS, including a guide for health departments and community-based organizations, a journalist's guide, downloadable radio public service announcements, and more.
All Babies Cry
Vida Health Communications
Incorporates the protective factors of the Strengthening Families Initiative to show new mothers and fathers demonstrations of infant soothing and strategies for managing normal stress in parenting.
Abusive Head Trauma During a Time of Increased Unemployment: A Multicenter Analysis
Berger, Fromkin, Stutz, Makoroff, Scribano, Feldman, et al.
Pediatrics, 128(4), 2011
View Abstract
Presents findings that indicate an increase in rates of abusive head trauma during the recent recession and suggest that prevention efforts might need to be increased significantly during times of economic hardship.
Educating Parents About Shaken Baby Syndrome
Hill
Children's Hospitals Today, Spring 2007
Describes a hospital-based parent education program that has been replicated nationwide, and summarizes several State initiatives to address SBS.
Preventing Abusive Head Trauma Among Infants and Young Children: A Hospital-Based, Parent Education Program
Dias, Smith, deGuehery, Mazur, Li, & Shaffer
Pediatrics, 115(4), 2005
Finds that a coordinated education program targeting all parents of newborn infants can reduce significantly the incidence of abusive head injuries to infants and children younger than 3 years old.
Shaken Baby Syndrome
American Humane Association
Provides general information on shaken baby syndrome, including what happens, why it happens, and what you can do.
Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Legislation
National Conference of State Legislatures (2011)
Presents a chart of State laws that establish programs or initiatives to prevent shaken baby syndrome. The laws address hospital-based programs, child care provider requirements, and public and school awareness campaigns.
State and local examples
Radio Roadblocks to Raise Awareness of Shaken Baby Syndrome: A Roadmap for Children's Hospitals [Conference Call]
Hanley & Veltema (2008)
Describes the coordination and impact of a campaign with 19 local radio stations in Michigan to raise awareness and reduce the number of children injured by being shaken.
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Epilepsy Association of Central Florida
Defines SBS, lists symptoms and statistics, offers education and family support, and presents prevention tips for coping with a crying baby.
Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Toolkit
New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Injury Prevention (2010)
Provides information to educate communities on the dangers of shaking a baby or young child. Toolkit includes factsheets, public awareness campaign materials, PowerPoint slides, and brochures for parents.