Study Shows Shaken-Baby Syndrome Cases Rose During the Recession

Stress from the wavering economy, staggering unemployment rates, and declining personal finances can cause depression, alcohol abuse, and stress-related illness like heart disease. Now researchers report that the harm may be spreading to children too, where parents' stress may lead them to inadvertently injure their children.

A team of researchers led by child abuse expert Dr. Rachel Berger at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh reported a significant increase in cases of shaken-baby syndrome at the May 1, 2010 Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Vancouver. The May 1 presentation highlighted that since the start of the recession, youngsters are being shaken violently by an adult.

Researchers analyzed data on 512 cases of head trauma in the children's centers of four hospitals (in Pittsburgh, Pa.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; and Seattle) and found that the number of cases had increased to 9.3 per month as of Dec. 1, 2007, compared with 6 per month prior to that date — a rate that had held steady since 2004. (Time, Park, Alice, Study: Shaken-Baby Cases Rose During Recession, May 3, 2010, Electronic resource: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1986500,00.html?xid=aol-direct).

Berger’s study highlights an association, not a cause-and-effect relationship, between the recession and incidence of shaken babies.

Most cases of shaken-baby syndrome and head injuries to young children occur when frustrated parents shake their children in an effort to quiet their crying. The force of the motion causes the child's brain to shift violently in the skull, crushing blood vessels and damaging still developing tissue. Even a few seconds of violent shaking can have serious long-term consequences for a child's development. Shaking has been linked to learning disabilities, visual and hearing problems, seizures, behavior disorders and even death.

As 10-year old Katie Carmichael says, “When I was a baby and every time I cried my parents would shake me, just enough to make me stop crying. Shaking me really scared me so I would stop crying really fast but because I was shaken, I have learning disabilities. I have a lot of trouble with Math, Reading Comprehension and I have Central Auditory Processing Disorder (C.A.P.D.).” You can read more of Katie’s story on our website at: http://www.childrenwithoutavoiceusa.org/cms/node/9.

There is no official central registry of shaken-baby statistics in the U.S., but the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (NCSBS) estimates that each year about 1,200 to 1,400 babies die or suffer injury from being shaken. The abuse leaves most children with serious damage: of the 75% who survive their episodes, 80% suffer from permanent disabilities ranging from mental retardation to undeveloped motor skills.

About Children Without a Voice USA

Established in 2007, Children Without a Voice USA (CWAVusa) is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to raising awareness and preventing crimes against children, child abuse and neglect through advocacy and education. We provide free educational brochures and classes on parenting and Shaken Baby Syndrome. CWAVusa also conducts pre-school and early elementary classes on inappropriate touching.

We urge you to learn more about Children Without a Voice USA at: www.childrenwithoutavoiceusa.org.