When Should Retinal Hemorrhages be Considered Suspicious for Non-Accidental Head Injury?

Article Description: 
Discussion Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is a form of non-accidental head injury (NAHI) that occurs when someone violently shakes a child. It may result in brain, eye and/or skeletal injury. The long-term survival is poor with cognitive/behavioral problems, cognitive impairment, cerebral palsy, and/or epilepsy as common problems. In one report 19% of the children died as a direct result of SBS and only 22% had no sequelae at discharge. SBS can be misdiagnosed particularly if it is less severe, has no external bruising (21% of cases) and no history of previous abuse (40%). SBS often occurs in infancy but can occur in children up to 8 years of age in the literature. Incomplete ophthalmological examination may under-estimate the presence and/or extent of retinal hemorrhages (RH). Complete exam...
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