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Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is sounding the alarm: numbers are up sharply in 2008 for a tragedy that does not have to happen. They're seeing more shaken baby cases. Dr. Lynn Sheets appeared on Live at 12:30 to discuss the difficult topic. Click on the video link to see the interview. What is shaken baby syndrome? Shaken baby syndrome is a type of child physical abuse that is characterized by brain injury and bleeding on the brain from shaking and/or slamming. Every year in the United States, there are approximately 1500 confirmed cases of shaken baby syndrome. Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin typically sees about 16-18 cases a year. Medical experts believe that shaken baby syndrome is under-reported, because its initial symptoms can mimic illnesses such as the flu. As a result, less severe cases tend to be missed. Shaken baby syndrome does not occur as a result of play or a fall. For a child to be injured in this way requires significant, violent forces. Infants and small children are especially vulnerable because of their small size, large heads, weak neck muscles and fragile brains. Lasting damage occurs when an infant or toddler’s brain is violently shaken/slammed or a combination of both. Resulting injuries and lifelong medical problems can include permanent brain damage, loss of sight or hearing, paralysis, seizures, developmental delays and learning disabilities. Injuries inflicted through shaking are so devastating that as many as 30 percent of shaken infants die as a result of their injuries. Why does shaking occur? Prolonged, inconsolable crying is a significant trigger in shaken baby cases. A normal infant cries 2 to 3 hours a day. Approximately 20 to 30 percent of infants cry more, often substantially more, and if a child is not feeling well, parents can expect even more crying. Crying is the most frequent trigger for shaking or slamming an infant. If the parent or caregiver is under a great deal of stress to begin with – due to job or money concerns, relationship issues or a lot of other causes – or has difficulty managing anger or impulses, the reaction to the crying infant quickly escalates and the potential increases for the infant to be shaken. On Tuesday, March 21, 2006, Governor Jim Doyle signed Senate Bill 221 into law. This law provides funds to support dissemination of information regarding shaken baby syndrome to the parents of newborn infants, training regarding shaken baby syndrome for day care providers, and instruction regarding shaken baby syndrome for middle school and high school pupils. Preventing shaken baby syndrome is possible if parents, caregivers and baby sitters have the information and follow the recommendations. What can parents do? •Crying is a normal part of an infant’s everyday life. It is not meant to be annoying and does not signify poor caregiving. It is simply a form of communication for babies who can’t speak. Often babies cry for no apparent reason even with attentive, loving parents. Learning what your baby is trying to communicate through crying will pay off later. When your baby’s needs are met sensitively during the first few months of life, he or she is more likely to cry less in the future. However, temperaments of babies can vary a lot and even those babies with met needs will cry, some babies more than others. •Consider attending parenting classes available in your community and encourage other caregivers to do so, as well. •If you know someone who has difficulty managing anger or whom you witness handling a child roughly, do not consider this person as a caregiver for your child. •If a caregiver reports a lot of frustration or inability to deal with your infant’s crying, listen and make other arrangements for your child’s care. •If you are caring for an infant or toddler and feel yourself becoming frustrated and angry: oPut the child in a safe, secure place, such as a crib, and leave the room. Give yourself time and space to cool down, but never leave the child unattended. oPick up the phone and call a friend, neighbor, relative or a parent helpline. The person you call may be able to come to you to help, or just talking to another adult can help you calm down. oWalk with or carry the child to a neighbor’s home and ask for help. Parent resources Having a phone number posted by the phone will help parents and caregivers quickly access help if they feel they are losing control. That phone number could be for a friend or neighbor. Or, parenting support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the following call centers: •211 (Milwaukee County) – Dialing 211 links Milwaukee County residents to community resource specialists who can provide referrals for family, health and social services. •(414) 671-0566 – Parent Helpline- Weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. •Visit the Child Abuse Prevention Fund Web site at www.capfund.org and download our teaching sheets, “Shaken baby syndrome” and “Calming a crying baby.” Click on the link under related content for more information.