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Shaken Baby Syndrome

In: Philosophy and Psychology

Submitted By Rlowry
Words 737
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According to Merriam-Webster, trauma is defined as a serious injury or wound to living tissue caused by an extrinsic agent; a very difficult or unpleasant experience that causes a person to have mental or emotional disturbances, usually for an extended period of time. There are many types of trauma that can affect a child’s development, specifically neural development. One pervasive form of trauma to children is Shaken Baby Syndrome. Shaken Baby Syndrome is a simple descriptive for a disturbing cluster of subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhage, traction type metaphyseal fractures, and retinal hemorrhage seen in children due to the act of violently shaking the child (Miehl, 2005). Shaken Baby Syndrome us an extremely vicious act of abuse that can result in numerous neurological, cognitive, and functional disabilities and deficits. In more severe cases, death is the result of Shaken Baby Syndrome. While there are many obvious and immediate symptoms of Shaken Baby Syndrome such as vomiting, lethargy, respiratory distress, seizure activity, decreased consciousness, increased intracranial pressure, and retinal hemorrhage; there are as many if not more permanent and long range ramifications (Miehl, 2005). Traumatic brain injuries that occur when the brain of the child is severely shaken inside the cranial cavity cause irreparable damage. Survivors of Shaken Baby Syndrome possess some degree of neurological and/or cognitive deficiency and exhibit seizure disorders, cerebral atrophy, chronic subdural fluid collections, and encephalomacia (Miehl, 2005). These injuries may later manifest in motor, cognitive, and learning disabilities. Research suggests that children who suffer severe brain injury before the age of 6 do not catch up with their non-brain injured peers and have a lower rate of gaining new skills (Miehl, 2005). Long term impairment due to Shaken

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