Research and resources on shaken baby syndrome

Thu 19 Jun 2014

Dr Patrick Kelly has spoken to the New Zealand Herald about the Shaken Baby Prevention Programme and his work as the clinical director of Te ...

Dr Patrick Kelly has spoken to the New Zealand Herald about the Shaken Baby Prevention Programme and his work as the clinical director of Te Puaruruhau, Starship hospital's health service for children and young people who have experienced abuse or neglect.

The Shaken baby prevention programme started in Auckland in 2009 and has since been taken up by 13 District Health Boards nationally. The programme educates caregivers of newborns on how to cope with a crying baby, and the dangers of shaking a baby. It is based on American paediatrician Mark Dias’ model (see below) which has been found to reduce Shaken Baby Syndrome rates by 47%. The education package takes ten minutes to deliver. Parents are also offered the opportunity to watch an educational DVD.

In New Zealand, an average of 20 babies under two are admitted to hospital with injuries after being shaken or subjected to violent impact each year. On average, two to four will die. Shaken baby syndrome can cause permanent brain damage, blindness, paralysis, deafness, seizure, broken bones, delays in normal development and death.

Dr Kelly said, "It's quite affirming for parents to be routinely educated that crying babies are stressful. Everyone struggles with it."

Research and resources on shaken baby syndrome are provided below.

New Zealand

Kelly P, MacCormack J, Strange R. (2009). Non-accidental head injury in New Zealand: The outcome of referral to statutory authorities. Child Abuse and Neglect, 33(6) June: 393-401

Kelly P, Farrant B. (2008). Shaken baby syndrome in New Zeland, 2000-2002. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 44(3):99-107

United States - evaluated programmes

(1) The Upstate New York Shaken Baby Education Program (SBS)

Dias MS, Smith K, de Guehery K, Mazur P, Ll V, Shaffer ML. (2005). Preventing abusive head trauma among infants and young children: A hospital-based, parent education program. Pediatrics, 115(4):e470–7.

Altman RL, Canter J, Patrick PA, Daley N, Butt NK, Brand, DA. (2011). Parent Education by Maternity Nurses and Prevention of Abusive Head Trauma. Pediatrics, 128:e1164

(2) Period of PURPLE Crying

Barr RG, Rivara FP, Barr M, Cummings P, Taylor J, Lengua LJ et al. (2009). Effectiveness of educational materials designed to change knowledge and behaviors regarding crying and shaken baby syndrome in mothers of newborns: A randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics, 123(3), 972-980.

Resources