Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma

Course overview

Pediatric abusive head trauma (AHT), or shaken baby syndrome (SBS), is a severe form of child abuse that most often involves infants. The term "shaken baby syndrome" has been used for decades to describe abusive head trauma inflicted on infants and young children. Shaking can cause neurological injury, but blunt impact or a combination of shaking and blunt impact can also cause injury, hence the term AHT. The outcome of this violent action can be complete recovery, permanent brain damage or death. Head injuries are the chief cause of traumatic death and the leading cause of child abuse fatalities in children younger than 2 years of age. Early recognition and diagnosis is essential. EMS professionals often miss the signs and symptoms, which can be attributed to the lack of external signs of abuse. Recognition of high-risk families and education for parents and caregivers are key to prevention of pediatric abusive head trauma.