Question

Imagine you are designing a public service message where you have the opportunity to educate others regarding SIDS and Shaken Baby Syndrome. Describe the factors correlated with an with an increased risk of these outcomes and preventative measures that can be taken to reduce the risk.

Answer 1

Shaken baby Syndrome is a term used to signify brain injury amidst infants. It is often seen to be occurring when adults shake them vigorously out of frustration when they are crying inconsolably. Due to the sudden shaking of brain, an injury may cause irreparable damage to the child. Also, early childhood abuse or trauma may cause similar experiences. An infant’s body may be under-developed making it more prone to injury and damage. Especially the head and the neck of an infant may have under developed muscles and the brain tissue may be extremely fragile at this tender stage. Therefore, given these risk factors, it is important that a child’s safety and security is ensured to avoid any such damage. Early childhood abuse/trauma/sudden jerks are something that caregivers need to rule out completely in order to avoid such devastating circumstances.

On the other hand, Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is unexplained death of a sleeping baby. The cause of death when found upon research has been linked to abnormality in breathing and part of brain that controls arousal. Baby boys are more likely to undergo SIDS. Also, a family history is likely to put an infant in the susceptible zone for which caregivers need to be on the constant vigil. Low birth weight, brain abnormality and birth complications are other factors that may put an infant under risk for the same. Certain protective factors on the other hand are breast feeding, putting the baby on the back for sleeping, making her/him sleep alone to allow adequate air, etc. Also, immediate intervention including CPR is highly recommended in case any risk is found such as abnormal breathing of the child.