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Shaken baby syndrome - Treatment

Alternative Names

Shaken impact syndrome; Whiplash - shaken infant

First Aid:

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

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

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.

Do Not:

  • 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 immediately for emergency medical assistance if:

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.

  • Reviewed last on: 9/26/2007
  • Deirdre O’Reilly, MD, MPH, Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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