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View our Public Service Announcement made possible by funding from Insuring the Children, and the creative pro-bono services provided by Sandlot Productions, Inc. and Red Echo Post.

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)is a form of child abuse that includes a combination of brain injuries that result from violent shaking, with or without battering or other physical impact.  Although the true incidence of cases is not known, nationally, it is estimated that as many as 1,400 cases occur each year, resulting in approximately 600 infant fatalities a year, due to violent shaking.  The overall outcome of children identified with shaken baby injury is poor:  over 2/3 die or suffer a permanent disability.  The medical costs associated with the initial and long-term care for these children are substantial, with estimates ranging from $300,000 to over $1,000,000 for the first five years of care for a severely injured SBS baby that survives the initial injury.  In 2001, 120 cases of SBS were documented in Ohio, with 21 of the cases documented locally at Children's Hospital in Cincinnati.  During 2007, Children's Hospital saw  22 cases, with 4 infant fatalities.

The Council's "Protect & Comfort Infants" prevention initiative provides educational information to target audiences in our community about the dangers of shaking babies, and offers practical suggestions about how to care for infants in ways that are proactive and nurturing.

Since the program's inception, over 250,000 informational packets have been distributed to mothers of newborns at maternity wards in area hospitals.  More then 1,500 Young Caregivers have attended educational presentations and received DSTB lanyard keychains as memory tools with our Parent Helpline number for them to call if they need help with a crying baby.  And, over 150 special presentations have also been provided to approximately 1,500 pregnant and parenting teens through high school GRADS programs.

To target the male population, the Council flies a "Never, Never, Never Shake a Baby" banner at Bengal home games and area special events.  When funding allows, 15,000 professional football slide guides are distributed annually, featuring not only the "Never Shake" message, but also the agency's web site and Helpline.

Recently, the Council developed a "Don't Get Rattled" Door Hanger as an educational tool to supplement existing educational information.  The Door Hanger allows parents to share the message of the dangers of shaking a baby with all who care for their infant.  This new format provides hands-on information for parents and caregivers to use immediately.  Door Hangers are being distributed locally as well as statewide.  Check out our new "Don't Shake the Baby" door hangers. 

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The Council coordinates these prevention efforts with numerous local and statewide agencies, and works closely with the Every Child Succeeds initiative and the Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children.  Our efforts continue to expand to new counties throughout the state, and we are beginning to pilot a program to evaluate the success of a five-year collaborative prevention effort in relation to local SBS cases.  As part of the new effort, a new "Never Shake a Baby" public service announcement was created and is being featured on local TV stations. 

The Council has received testimony from parents and caregivers about the effectiveness and importance of this educational program.  While much work and research still remains to be done, it is evident that children's lives are already being saved because of these prevention efforts.

If a baby has been shaken, it is important to take the baby to the hospital immediately. Tell the medical staff the baby was shaken so proper medical attention can be given.

According to The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome:

	SBS is the most common cause of mortality and accounts for most long-term disability in infants and young children who have been physically abused
	1/4 of the babies that are shaken do not survive
	children who do survive often have long-term medical disabilities
	baby boys are shaken more frequently than baby girls
	approximately 70% of the perpetrators are male, usually the biological father or "father figure"; often young and caring for the infant for the first time
	approximately 12%-17% of the perpetrators are caretakers
	only a small % of mothers shake their babies
	older children can sustain injuries if shaken with enough force, but infants are more susceptible to injury because of their heavy heads and weak neck muscles.
	SBS symptoms can include: Apnea (shortness of breath) Bruises on shoulder or ribs Irritability Lethargic Flu-like symptoms with no fever Seizures Vomiting without diarrhea Decreased appetite Unconscious
	MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography) are used to evaluate brain injured infants and assist with the often difficult diagnosis of SBS
	a triad of these symptoms are characteristic of SBS and other possible causes are considered remote: Subdural hematomas collection of blood - intracranial bleeding Retinal hemorrhages massive bleeding Cerebral edema swelling of the brain
	It is imperative that the "Never Shake a Baby" message be shared with everyone who cares for infants.  Anyone who cares for infants should have a plan for what they will do if the baby won't stop crying, including calling for help.  Parents should always check out whom they leave their babies with and discuss appropriate ways to soothe crying babies with everyone who cares for their baby.

For more information about Shaken Baby Syndrome or our "Protect & Comfort Infants" program,  call (513) 936-8009.

You can also visit:

       http://www.dontshake.com/