Common Signs of Shaken Baby Syndrome
The Shaken Baby Alliance is a non-profit charity on a mission to increase public awareness of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). The following are possible indications that your child may be suffering from Shaken Baby Syndrome:
- Extreme irritability, often misdiagnosed as colic
- Decreased appetite or feeding problems
- Inability to suck or swallow
- Vomiting
- Lethargy or poor muscle tone
- Inability to follow movements with eyes
- No smiling or vocalization (cooing, gurgling, etc.)
- Rigidity
- Seizures or convulsions, rolling eyes or eyes upward into head
- Pale or blueish skin
- Loss of consciousness or coma
- Difficulty breathing
- Dilated pupils
- Blood spots/pooling of blood in eyes
- Bruises on shoulders, neck, ribs (front and back), upper arms, arms, wrists Keep in mind that in many SBS cases, there are no outward signs of physical abuse.
