Shaken baby syndrome

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Shaken baby symptoms

Shaken impact syndrome; Whiplash - shaken infant

Call 911 or your local emergency number. Immediate emergency treatment is necessary.

If the child stops breathing before emergency help arrives, begin CPR in an infant under 1 year old or CPR in a child.

Steps to take if the child is vomiting:

• If you don't think there is a spinal injury, turn the child's head to one side to prevent choking and breathing in vomit to the lungs (aspiration).
• If you do think there is a spinal injury, CAREFULLY roll the child's whole body to one side at the same time (as if rolling a log) while protecting the neck to prevent choking and aspiration.

If the child has a convulsion, follow instructions for seizure first aid.

• DO NOT pick up or shake the child to attempt to wake him or her up.
• DO NOT attempt to give anything by mouth.

Call your health care provider if a child has any of the above signs or symptoms, regardless of their severity. Also call if you think a child has shaken baby syndrome.

Review Date: 07/21/2006
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.