shaken baby syndrome

noun

1. a usually fatal condition of abused infants brought on by violent shaking by the arms or shoulders that causes severe internal bleeding, especially around the brain and in the eyes.

shaken baby syndrome

noun

1. a combination of physical injuries and conditions such as brain damage and broken bones, sometimes leading to death, caused by the vigorous shaking of an infant or young child

shaken baby syndrome

/ shā′kən /

1. A condition in infants in which brain injury is caused by violent shaking that causes the child's brain to rebound against the skull. This results in bruising, swelling, and bleeding of the brain, often leading to permanent, severe brain damage or death.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shaken baby syndrome¹

First recorded in 1985–1990

Example Sentences

Roberson was convicted in 2002 of killing his 2-year-old daughter “in a case that relied on evidence of shaken baby syndrome.”

From Slate

The cause of Curtis' death was ruled to be "shaken baby syndrome."

From Salon

He was set to be the first person in the US to be executed for a murder related to "shaken baby syndrome", but legal challenges, prompted by some public outcry, paused the execution at the last minute last month.

From BBC

"Shaken baby syndrome" - now called abusive head trauma - is usually diagnosed after finding evidence of retinal haemorrhage, brain swelling and bleeding in the brain.

From BBC

In May 2018, Spreadbury was sentenced to four years in prison, after scans found Bradley’s brain injuries had been caused by shaken baby syndrome.

From BBC