|
Gilliland,
M.G. & Folberg, R. (1996). Shaken Babies -- some have no
impact injuries. Journal of Forensic Science, 41, 114-116. |
| Objective |
To
question the validity of shaking as a mechanism of head injury in children. |
| Methods |
The
postmortem study investigated 80 deaths from head trauma to identify the
roles of shaking and direct head injury impacts on children. The
researchers used the following criteria to determine if the case was a
result of shaken baby syndrome: 1) finger marks and/or rib fractures, 2)
subdural and/or subarachnoid hemorrhage, or 3) a history of vigorous shaking.
Shaking to the exclusion of other head trauma was defined as the presence
of two or more of the above criteria together with the complete absence
of scalp or skull injuries. |
| Results |
Nine
(11.3%) of the 80 study deaths qualified as exclusively shaking injuries
by the definition given. Thirty (37.5%) of the deaths had direct
injuries as well as two of the criteria of shaking; these deaths were classified
as combined shaking and blunt trauma. Forty-one (51.3%) of the deaths
had impact injuries without having two of the criteria of shaking.
The researchers reviewed the presence of ocular injuries in all cases.
They found that ocular hemorrhages occurred with increased frequency in
cases having two or more of the criteria of shaking compared to cases having
only impact mechanisms of injury. |
| Conclusion |
Retinal
hemorrhages are a good marker of infants injured by vigorous, intentional
shaking. The researchers concluded that most, but not all, shaken
babies have impact injuries as well. |
