Abusive head trauma (AHT) involves an inflicted injury to the head and its contents, including injuries caused by shaking and blunt impact. The term "shaken baby syndrome" (SBS) is commonly used to describe one form of AHT. The following resources address different strategies and programs to prevent AHT/SBS, including State and local examples.
Parenting Tip of the Week – Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome
Prevent Child Abuse America
Provides guidance and support for new parents to help them cope with the frustrations of parenting in the early months of their baby’s life in a healthy way.
The Period of Purple Crying
National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
Provides information on the common characteristics of the developmental of a typical infant crying behavior and provides strategies to prevent shaken baby syndrome through new parent education.
Preventing Abuse Head Trauma in Children
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2018)
Explains the facts of abusive head trauma and how it can be prevented. Provides additional resources for families.
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Cleveland Clinic
Provides an overview of shaken baby syndrome, including information about diagnosis and tests, management and treatment, and prevention strategies.
Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma: A Complicated Child Welfare Issue
Findley, Johnson, Judson, Staas, Redleaf, Hyman (2015)
The Guardian, 37
Discusses the Innocence Project’s information on shaken baby syndrome, including concerns about the diagnosis of child abuse, the consideration of alternative causes, the emergence of legitimate debate, and the substitution of probabilities for actual evidence.
Understanding Abusive Head Trauma in Infants and Children: Answers From America's Pediatricians (PDF- 591 KB)
American Academy of Pediatrics (2015)
Defines abusive head trauma (AHT) and explains strategies for the identification of AHT-related injuries, including subdural hematoma, retinal hemorrhages, and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.
State and local examples
Abusive Head Trauma Campaign Toolbox
Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services
Provides informative material approved by the State to educate communities of shaken baby syndrome.
Never Shake a Baby [Video]
Prevent Child Abuse Arizona (2017)
Demonstrates how quickly parenting frustrations can become overwhelming, but this video helps parents and caregivers to understand common infant crying, ways to soothe a crying infant, and the devastating impact of shaking an infant.
Shaken Baby Syndrome
New York Department of Health
Includes factsheets, public awareness campaign materials, videos, and other helpful information designed to educate communities in New York State a about preventing shaken baby syndrome.
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Virginia Department of Health
Defines abusive head trauma, symptoms, statistics, and offers support and prevention tips.