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MILWAUKEE (1/26/2007) - Children's Hospital of Wisconsin saw 27 cases of shaken baby syndrome in 2006
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin today announced that it saw 27 cases of shaken baby syndrome in 2006, more than in any previous year and an increase of almost 40 percent more than the number of cases seen in 2005. To reduce the incidence of shaken baby syndrome in the new year, Children's Hospital urges parents to seek help with their children in times of stress. Many resources are available in communities throughout Wisconsin to help parents avoid or diffuse the intense frustration that often leads to shaking and other abusive incidents.
"Shaking is one of the most horrible, brutal ways to abuse a child, and unfortunately, it is all too common," said Lynn Sheets, MD, director, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin's Child Protection Center. Shaking an infant can cause permanent, severe brain damage and death. During shaking, the infant brain is torn, resulting in devastating brain injury and bleeding around the brain. Those who survive often live with residual problems including blindness, deafness, seizures and learning disabilities.
"Parents and caregivers need to call for help before they get to a level of frustration where they want to hurt their child," said Jennifer Hammel, director of Children's Hospital and Health System's Child Abuse Prevention Fund. "They need to put the child gently in a safe place, close the door and pick up the phone. Call a friend, a relative, a neighbor, a family resource center or a parent help line. The help is there. Every parent or caregiver should have a number by the phone so they have immediate access to help if they ever feel like they want to hurt a child."
Parent resource hotlines are available in many areas of the state. Residents of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine and Dane counties can dial 211 to be connected to resources in their area. The 211 services are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In addition, a searchable directory of community-based resources can be accessed through Children's Service Society of Wisconsin's Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin Web site at www.preventchildabusewi.org. These resources include child abuse prevention programs such as drop-in care centers, parent hotlines, parent education and home visitation programs. Others offer help with basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter, because the presence of stressors related to economic need often place families at a high risk for child abuse and neglect.
In response to the great need for shaken baby syndrome prevention, Wisconsin Gov. James Doyle signed Senate Bill 221 into law March 21, 2006. The bill, which goes into effect this year, will require the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services to create materials about shaken baby syndrome to be distributed to parents of newborns. Additionally, the bill will require education for day care providers, middle school students and high school students designed to help prevent the incidence of shaken baby syndrome.
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, founded in 1894, is recognized as one of the leading pediatric health care centers in the United States. It is included on Child magazine's 10 Best Children's Hospitals list. Children's Hospital is the only freestanding Level I Trauma Center in the region that cares exclusively for children and adolescents. The hospital has been designated a Magnet hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a national honor that recognizes nursing excellence. Children's Hospital is the flagship member of Children's Hospital and Health System. Private, independent and not-for-profit, the hospital serves children and families from Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, northern Illinois and beyond.
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