Shaken Baby Alliance warns of shaken baby syndrome

Never shake a keiki.

It’s a powerful message, one that can save a child’s life.

In the past five years, there have been about 15 cases a year of shaken baby syndrome in Hawai‘i. Between three and five babies die each year, and another three to five suffer from the effects of shaking, which can include mental retardation, paralysis, behavioral and learning problems, hearing loss and blindness. It is the leading cause of brain injury in the state. Often the babies are shaken in anger by their parents or caretakers.

To promote awareness of shaken baby syndrome, the Never Shake a Keiki Task Force will display two quilts in memory of children who have died and in honor of survivors. The display will be at Windward Mall from Friday to next Sunday on the lower level next to Jean’s Warehouse.

The Shaken Baby Alliance, a national nonprofit organization in Minneapolis, Minn., provides support and resources to families and professionals. It began the commemorative quilts to raise awareness of shaken baby syndrome.

Prevention is linked to educating parents on normal childhood development, said Kathy Bentley, program coordinator of Parents Inc., a local nonprofit that emphasizes improving parenting skills.

Here are some signs suggested by the Shaken Baby Alliance that your child may be suffering from shaken baby syndrome:

lethargy

irritability

seizures

vomiting

constipation

dilated pupils

semi-consciousness

decreased appetite

difficulty breathing

blood spots or pooling of blood in the eyes

For more information, contact Childhelp USA at 1-800-4-A-CHILD, the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse at 1-800-CHILDREN or Prevent Child Abuse Hawai‘i at 951-0200.

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