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Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS), also called Shaken Infant Syndrome and/or Shaken Impact Syndrome, is the nationally recognized medical term used to describe the resulting brain injuries caused by violent shaking or shaking and impacting the head of an infant or small child.
Approximately 1,300 U.S. children experience severe or fatal head trauma from child abuse every year. According to Dr. Carole Jenny, Director of the ChildSafe Child Protection Program at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, there are approximately 7-10 head trauma cases directly related to Shaken Baby Syndrome annually in Rhode Island, and many more that go undiagnosed.
"Brendan's Law" (Title 11, Chapter 9, Section 5.3) began as a statute that Rhode Island State Representative Joanne M. Giannini sponsored in 1996, carrying lengthy prison sentences for those found guilty of first- or second-degree child abuse. As of July 9, 2001, "Brendan's Law" includes Shaken Baby Syndrome as a form of child abuse in the first degree, carrying penalties of mandatory jail time of 10 years for a first offense and 20 years for subsequent offenses.
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The NUMBER ONE reason babies are shaken is due to inconsolable crying. Frustrated by attempts to console the baby, the caregiver loses control.
Shaken Baby Syndrome is 100% PREVENTABLE.
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| Learn More About Shaken Baby Syndrome and Infant Crying |
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