Shaken baby syndrome: the first case reported in East Africa: case report

Citation: 
Kenan Bosco Nyalile, Edwin Joseph Shewiyo, Adnan Sadiq, Beatrice Elimringi Maringo, Faith Alexander Mosha, Ronald Mwitalemi Mbwasi, Deborah Nerey Mchaile, Aisa Mamuu Shayo, Sia Emmanueli Msuya
Publication year: 
2021

Shaken baby syndrome is a form of whiplash injury that results from vigorously shaking the baby, due to inconsolable or excessive crying, usually of a child less than 1 year old. This injury is often detected late where there is, permanent or serious complications because the children usually have no sign of physical or external injury, and the symptoms are non-specific. The annual incidence of shaken baby syndrome in high-income countries is about 34 cases per 100,000 children and the mortality rate is around 30%, with more than 85% suffering permanent complications such as mental retardation and blindness. We report a case of a 2 months old baby girl, presented in our pediatrics unit with loss of consciousness, no clear history of trauma, but has history of vomiting and diarrhea, upon investigation had a large acute on chronic subdural hematoma and a retinal hemorrhage, he was kept on intensive care, emergency craniotomy done, but the baby never recovered post procedure and died. Although there are no statistics of shaken baby syndrome in lower income countries like our setting, the mortality and morbidity rates might be higher since poverty and illiteracy rates are higher, and they are among the main risk factors of Shaken baby syndrome, we encourage clinical practitioners especially in low-income settings to properly diagnose and keep record of these cases of child abuse for better prevention and intervention strategies.