Traumatic brain injury results from a traumatic event that injures the brain of an accident or abuse victim. Although the leading causes of traumatic brain injury are car accidents and falls, shaken baby syndrome--now formally called "abusive head trauma" to describe more vividly what occurs when a baby is shaken--can result in a form of traumatic brain injury referred to as Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury (PABI). A number of traumatic events can lead to Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury, such as car accidents or other accidents, falls, assaults or child abuse. Non-traumatic causes of the injury include strokes, brain tumors, infection, meningitis, and pediatric AIDS. When the serious brain injury is caused by shaken baby syndrome, the results can be severe, permanent, or even fatal.
In the case of Sarah Jane, the inspiration for the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation, PABI resulted from rapid shaking: a nurse shook 5-day old Sarah Jane so violently that she suffered a serious pediatric brain injury and broken bones. Now, three and one half years later, the toddler cannot eat solid food, speak, or walk. Through the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation and other efforts, however, her family is confident that she will recover one day.
If you believe that your child may have suffered a traumatic brain injury, seek medical care as soon as possible. Symptoms may not be apparent immediately following an accident and, instead, may manifest themselves gradually. Victims of traumatic brain injuries may even fail to notice some of their serious symptoms while being preoccupied with others. Among the symptoms commonly experienced, however, are loss of consciousness, nausea or vomiting, slurred speech, weakness in the body, amnesia, trouble swallowing, convulsions, and respiratory problems. Many other symptoms can occur following a traumatic brain injury (this is not a comprehensive list), and it is also important to know the symptoms of shaken baby syndrome if the brain injury resulted from shaking.
For more information and helpful resources regarding pediatric traumatic brain injury, Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury, or shaken baby syndrome, contact child injury and child abuse attorney Chris Keane at the Keane Law Firm. If you would like a consultation, he will compassionately and professionally answer your questions for free regarding your unique situation.
Click here to contact Chris Keane online or call 1-888-592-KIDS.
Chris Keane is on the National Advisory Board for the Sarah Jane Brain Project.
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