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Shaking a baby can cause serious injuries and brain trauma that can lead to impairment or death. together we can make a difference...
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WHAT WE DO
A new threat to our children has been identifiedIn the past few years, a newly recognized injury to children has been identified. This injury is Shaken Baby Syndrome or "SBS" (also referred to as "Shaken Baby Impact Syndrome" or "SBIS"). Shaken Baby Syndrome is a serious injury and the results can be devastating.Shaken Baby Syndrome StatisticsOne shaken baby in four dies.Some studies estimate that 15% of children's deaths are due to battering or shaking, and an additional 15% are possible cases of shaking.Of the 37 children that died in Florida in 1995-96 13 died from a combination of Shaken Baby Syndrome/ Head Trauma.Of the thousands that survive death, serious injury usually occurs."SBS" victims range in age from a few days to a few months old; the average is six months.More than 60% of the victims of Shaken Baby Syndrome are male. Almost 80% of the perpetrators of Shaken Baby Syndrome are maleThese Shaken Baby Syndrome Statistics are scary, at best. Please help us spread the word about Shaken Baby Syndrome.Who We AreThis Shaken Baby Syndrome website is sponsored by The Epilepsy Association of Central Florida, Inc. and this is our way of educating the public regarding this syndrome as well as provide support for the victim's families.This site was designed to share shaken baby syndrome statistics and information as well as ways of coping with a crying baby and information on how to prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome. We can all get involved in stopping this destructive injury.FAMILY SUPPORTWe understand that you have a lot of questions about Shaken Baby Syndrome. In an effort to help answer some of those questions, we have compiled a list of shaken baby syndrome resources for you to review. However, you are always welcome to contact our office at any time. We are here to help you.Shaken Baby Syndrome OrganizationsThe Shaken Baby Alliance1201 West Lancaster StreetFt. Worth Texas 76102e-mail: info_shakenbaby.comwww.shakenbaby.com817-882-86861-877-6ENDSBS (toll free)National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)National Institutes of Health Bldg. 31, Rm. 2A32 Bethesda, MD 20892-2425 NICHDClearinghouse_mail.nih.gov http://www.nichd.nih.govTel: 301-496-5133 / 800-370-2943The ARC1010 Wayne Avenue Suite 650 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Info_thearc.org http://www.thearc.orgTel: 301-565-3842 Fax: 301-565-3843 / 301-565-5342Think First Foundation [National Injury Prevention Program]5550 Meadowbrook Drive Suite 110 Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 thinkfirst_thinkfirst.org http://www.thinkfirst.orgTel: 847-290-8600800-THINK-56 (844-6556) Fax: 847-290-9005
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Coping with the crying baby - What sets off the destructive behavior of the caregiverAn infant may spend 2 to 3 hours a day crying.20%-30% of infants exceed that amount of time.A caregiver momentarily succumbs to the frustration of responding to a crying baby by shaking. Caregivers may be inadequately prepared for children. They may be under stress and cannot deal with the frustrations of parenting.The caregiver personalizes the infant's crying as inadequate care-giving."Shaken Baby Syndrome" usually happens when a caregiver is angry and loses control.How to sooth a crying babyFirst, Meet Basic NeedsFeed the babyBurp the BabyChange the diaperMake sure clothing isn't too tightMake sure baby isn't too hot, or too coldNext, try these techniquesTake the baby for a walk outside in a stroller or for a ride in the car seatHold the baby against your chest and gently massage the babyRock, walk, or dance with the babyBe patient; take a deep breath and count to tenCall a friend or relative that you can trust to take over for a while, then get away, get some rest, take care of yourselfOffer a pacifierLower any surrounding noise and lightsOffer the baby a noisy toy; shake or rattle itHold the baby and breathe slowly and calmly; the baby may feel your calmness and become quietSing or talk to the baby using soothing tonesRecord and playback a sound, like a vacuum cleaner, or hair dryerIf All Else FailsIf you suspect the baby is ill, has a fever, swollen gums, etc.: CALL A DOCTOR!Together We Can STOP Shaken Baby Syndrome!
DONATE
Donations to Shaken Baby Syndrome ProjectThe Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention and Education Project of the Epilepsy Association of Central Florida depends on individuals like you,and organizations like yours! 100% of your gifts to this project will help us do presentations; offset costs of brochures and materials, and more.We are an Internal Revenue Services approved 501 (C) 3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations will be tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by current law. Contributions can be made to the "Epilepsy Association of Central Florida, Inc." and marked for our Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness and Education Project.You can support us through:A planned gift through estate planning tools that may include charitable giving.The giving of securities, stocks, bonds, mutual funds or property.In-kind gifts including equipment, services, products, etc.You, or your organization, holding your own special event.Contact us for volunteer opportunities.Memorial gifts or tributes on behalf of a loved one.And of course....Cash DonationsThe Epilepsy Association of Central Florida (EACF) welcomes all contributions, regardless how small or large, to support the mission of the organization. These contributions are used to support Shaken Baby Syndrome Programs serving thousands of children, adults and their families. In addition to general support, a gift may be designated to a specific program or cause of the EACF.
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FOR EDUCATORS
Dear Educators,Every week we read or hear about another child injured or who died due to violent shaking or resulting impact. Shaken Baby Impact Syndrome (SBIS) is the medical term used to describe the violent shaking and the possible impact during the incident, and, the results sustained from it. This form of child abuse can result in serious brain injury, seizures, mental retardation, paralysis, blindness, broken bones, learning difficulties, delayed development, and more. One shaken baby in four dies.One of our main goals is to educate early in life to prevent, and reduce, the number of victims of Shaken Baby Impact Syndrome through prevention and education efforts. The Epilepsy Association of Central Florida has specifically designed a video and teaching curriculum that can be used by teachers, health educators, childcare advocates, and the community at large. This presentation includes our award winning and nationally distributed 10-minute video, a detailed teaching curriculum, a pre-test, and other information on Shaken Baby Impact Syndrome. The presentation, including time for discussion, can be completed in about 30 minutes. There is also a post-test to administer after the presentation to see what your participants learned. If you would like a copy of the video and teaching curriculum, click, "Purchase Educational DVD" at the top right of this page. Since we are a not-for-profit organization, the cost of the video and teaching program are only $15.00 to help offset our costs involved in bringing it to you. If you would like assistance with your presentation or, for any questions you may have, please kindly fill out our form on the connect Page. If you are in the state of Florida and you wish to have someone make the presentation for you we can also make those arrangements with one of our Prevention and Education Coordinators throughout the state. You may also call us in Orlando at 407-422-1416 extension 102, toll-free in the continental U.S. at 1-866-864-1416 extension 102, or email us at education_epilepsyassociation.org.Thank you,The Epilepsy Association of Central FloridaShaken Baby Syndrome Prevention and Education Project
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For Questions about the DVD or ordering online, please call EACF M-F 9:00-5:00 E.S.T. (407)422-1416x102 (866)864-1416x102
SYMPTOMS
Shaken Baby Syndrome SymptomsShaken Baby Syndrome, first described as a syndrome in 1974, can be lethal: approximately one shaken baby in four dies from the injuries. Those who survive may suffer blindness caused by bleeding around the brain and eyes, or disabling brain damage, including mental retardation (mild to severe), paralysis, seizure disorder, speech and learning disabilities, neck and back damage, and dislocated bones.Many incidents of Shaken Baby Syndrome are not reported out of fear. It is important to seek immediate and early medical attention. Serious complications and even DEATH can be avoided.Here are a few symptoms of Shaken Baby Syndrome that have already been discovered:Head turned to one sideUnable to lift or turn headPinpointed, dilated, or unequal size pupilsBlood pooling in the eyesPupils unresponsive to lightBulging or spongy foreheadNo smiling or vocalizationPoor sucking or swallowingRigiditySemi-consciousness, lethargy, or decreased muscle toneDifficulty breathingSeizures or spasmsSwollen head, which may appear laterWarning Signs of Injury of Shaken Baby SyndromePoor Feeding / EatingCardiopulmonary arrest.Vomiting.Failure to thrivePale or blush skin.IrritabilitySeizuresLethargicComa If you suspect your baby is a victim of Shaken Baby Syndrome, do not delay, Call 911 and get your baby to the emergency room right away.
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YOUR STORY
WARNING: THIS IS A REAL LETTER FROM A REAL MOTHER.THE CONTENTS OF THIS LETTER ARE GRAPHIC AND UN-EDITED. Message Recieved: 5/10/2011Child: LilyDOB: 04/30/08Date Shaken: 03/16/09Age: 3My story: On March 16, 2009 my life changed in a way I never thought possible. Before I go on, there are a couple things you should know about me. To start I have a beautiful two year old daughter named Lily, and she is my world. My daughter is my everything and the reason I am still in school today. She is the reason I get up in the morning. When Lily was around six months old I met a boy named K. S. At first K. and I started off as friends, and eventually it led to a relationship. He immediately showed love and care for my daughter and treated her as if she were his own child. About four months into the relationship K.'s mother kicked him out of their house. My mother allowed K. to stay with us for a couple weeks until he found a job and a new place to live. Little did we know weeks would turn into months. At the time I was attending School and had maxed out my absences so I couldn't miss anymore days. On March 16, I woke up very late for school, I want to say around 1:15, and school got out at three. I was very stressed and worried about losing credit. K. then pointed out to me that by the time I got me and Lily ready, school would be over, and that he would watch her. By this time my family and I trusted K. with the baby and felt that it would be safe to leave her with him for short periods of time. Before I left for school I wrote down the phone number for my moms, my grandmas and my cell phone. I also left him the school number and told him that if he couldn't handle it to call me or my mom and one of us would come home. He said ok and not to worry and that everything would be fine... When I came home from school that day K. told me that Lily was taking a nap in my room and not to wake her. I also noticed that he looked like he was having a great day and nothing was on his mind. I quietly poked my head in my room and saw that Lily was indeed "sleeping" so I continued to let her nap for a little longer. An hour or so went by and I thought to myself that it was not normal for my baby girl to be sleeping this long and that it was time to wake her up. When I entered my room and uncovered Lily, I found her in nothing but a diaper. I lifted her out of bed and noticed that I couldn't move her arms or legs; she was stiff as a board. I rushed to the living room, where K. was sitting on the couch, with my unconscious baby in my arms. I asked K. if anything had happened while I was gone. He said nothing happened and that he had no idea of why she was acting the way she was. I immediately called my grandma and asked her to come over and to call an ambulance on the way. The ambulance showed up about two minutes after my grandma did. They set my daughter on the couch and started working on her; it was the scariest thing in my life. Next thing I knew I was hearing the men say "we're losing her we need to get her to the hospital now!" They made me ride in the front of the truck so I couldn't see what was going on. There I sat in the waiting room for well over an hour pacing, dying to know what happened to my little girl. Finally Dr. J, the Neurologist who did her surgery pulled my mom, my grandma and I into the little meeting room in the corner. I still remember his words like it was yesterday. "Ms. S. there is no easy way to say this, your daughter is in critical condition. What has happened to this baby is very, very serious. I believe she has suffered from shaken baby syndrome. The left side of her brain is swelling and is causing pressure against her skull. I don't expect her to survive but we are going to perform another surgery to remove part of the skull to let her brain swell out. Overall I would give her about a 5% chance to survive this surgery. I'm very sorry." I immediately fell to the floor in tears. This man was telling me that my baby, my world, something I had spent nine months making, and ten months raising, was being taken away from me? It wasn't fair, just plain unfair. The surgery would take at least an hour. My family and I spent this time calling friends and family to let them know what happened. Within minutes the waiting room was full of loved ones there to support us. I sat crying in my best friends arms for what seemed like hours. All I could do was sit there and wait for someone to tell me that my daughter had either survived the surgery, or died. I prayed and prayed and prayed like the world was going to end. The next thing I knew my best friends mom came running to me yelling "she survived the surgery!" Again I fell to the floor in tears. I couldn't believe it, my baby was alive. I would get to hold her in my arms again. I could continue being a mommy. My daughter spent a month in the hospital hooked up to tubes and ice-packs. Two weeks of that month she spent in an induced coma. Four times I was told that it was time to let my baby go. All four times I refused. On March 16, 2009 my daughter was shaken and left to die on my bed by K. S. He spent months trying to cover up his story. In the end he finally admitted he shook Lily because he got frustrated and he didn't tell anyone because he didn't want to get in trouble. Dr. J. informed me that another hour of having a seizure on my bed without medical attention, my daughter would have died. After two weeks, I got to hold my daughter for the first time when she came out of her coma. She was let out of the hospital a week before her first birthday. Today my daughter is blind, has partial paralysis on her left side and has multiple seizures a day that can no longer be controlled by medication. Everyday she fights, and everyday she proves the doubters wrong. She has come a long way. The doctors said that she would be a vegetable if she survived, but today she is a toddler learning to walk and talk. She is a little girl whose mommy loves her very much and would do anything to go back to that day and save her from a life sentence. To this day I still hear the sirens of March 16th 2009. The sound of them slowly getting closer but not fast enough. I have flashbacks whenever a siren passes by. Want to know how I handle raising a child with disabilities? There is a poem titled "Welcome to Holland" I would like you to read on the internet that sums it up. My daughter may be different, but no matter what she is special and more than normal to her mother. (NAMES HIDDEN TO PROTECT PRIVACY)
Another victim of SBS
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