Brain Injury in Infants

Washington, D.C., Maryland, & Virginia

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be a devastating injury, affecting both the victim and the family. Victims of traumatic brain injury often require round-the-clock care for the rest of their lives. TBIs take emotional, physical and financial toll on those involved with the victim. When an infant suffers a traumatic brain injury, diagnosing and treatment may be even more difficult because infants are not able to communicate their symptoms to their parents and medical professionals. The parents of a child with a head injury must with the child's healthcare provider to determine if the child needs to be evaluated, how to monitor symptoms, and then should develop a plan to minimize future injuries.

The most common serious head injuries in infants are caused by falls and abuse. Serious head injuries may cause injury to the brain. The more force that is involved with a head injury, the more likely brain injury has occurred, also.

There are symptoms to look for if you suspect your infant has suffered a brain injury:

• Eyes. If your baby's eyes are crossing, if one pupil is larger than the other, or if they are having trouble focusing, your baby may have suffered a brain injury.
• Balance. If your child is not yet walking, then it can be difficult to notice if his balance is off. Try to pay attention to changes in crawling patterns or if the head cannot be held up. These are signs your baby's brain has suffered an injury.
• Unconsciousness. If at any time after the accident your baby falls unconscious, you need to seek medical attention right away.
• Vomiting. It is not uncommon for children to vomit after a traumatic event, but if your child vomits more than three to four times per day, seek medical attention immediately.

Shaken Baby Syndrome

One of the most disturbing causes of traumatic brain injury in infants is "Shaken Baby Syndrome," which is trauma to the head caused by shaking a baby. Frustrated parents or other caregivers who are upset about a crying baby may take the infant by the arms and shoulders and vigorously shake him to stop the crying. When the baby does stop crying, the damage has been done. Head trauma is actually the leading cause of death in child abuse cases in our country. The vast majority of shaken babies are under a year old. In 90% of shaken baby cases, the perpetrator is a male, either the father of the child or the boyfriend of the baby's mother.

What happens when a baby is shaken?

The violent movement shakes a baby, and the head rotates about the neck uncontrollably because the neck muscles are not developed enough to provide the necessary support. When a baby is shaken, the movement pitches his brain back and forth within the skull, sometimes causing blood vessels and nerves in the brain to rupture. Shaking a baby can also tear brain tissue. When a baby is shaken, the brain may strike the inside of the skull, which causes bruising to the brain and bleeding. After a shaking, swelling in the brain causes pressure in the skull and can permanently damage the baby's delicate structure.

If your infant has suffered a traumatic brain injury and you live in Virginia, Maryland or the Washington, D.C. area, please contact Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, Siegel, P.C. , brain injury attorneys today to schedule a confidential consultation.

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