News

Mild shake could kill babies

New research on 'shaken baby syndrome' has found that it takes less force than was previously thought to cause brain damage in infants. A study revealed last week in New Scientist has discovered that even a mild shaking may be enough for babies to suffer fatal brain damage from unsupported movement of the child's head.

A study revealed last week in New Scientist has discovered that even a mild shaking may be enough for babies to suffer fatal brain damage from unsupported movement of the child's head.

The finding is the result of a two-year project on head injuries in young children, funded by the medical charity Action Research and led by Dr Jennian Geddes at the Royal London Hospital. It calls into question the conventional belief that it takes violent force to injure a baby. However, the researchers stressed that everyday activities such as a parent or carer bouncing a baby on their knee would not cause such injuries in an infant.

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