Time magazine recently published an article which indicated that child abuse will likely climb as the economic downturn continues. The article, Study: Shaken-Baby Cases Rose During the Recession, reports on a study which was presented on May 1, 2010 at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Vancouver, Canada. Child-abuse expert Dr. Rachel Berger of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, led a team of researchers who reported a noteable increase in the reported numbers of shaken-baby syndrome since the economic recession began. Shaken-baby syndrome is when a child, most often an infant, is violently shaken by an adult. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of the almost 2,000 children who die from abuse or neglect each year, shaken baby syndrome accounts for 10%-12% of them.
Researchers analyzed the data from 512 cases of head trauma in the children’s centers of four hospitals (in Pittsburgh, Pa.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; and Seattle) and found that the number of cases had increased to 9.3 per month as of Dec. 1, 2007, compared with 6 per month prior to that date — a rate that had held steady since 2004.
Berger cautions, “This is a perfect storm in a bad way, where we have economic stressors that are causing the removal of social-service resources for preventing and addressing child abuse.” Berger commented that the true concern is the that while the most violent cases are often reported, others go unreported or diagnosed. The report serves as a reminder of how often child abuse goes unreported and the effects of socio-economic factors on abuse. While the recession has shown a spike in child abuse it is not the only factor and economic prosperity is not a cure for abuse. Increased levels of abuse also follow in times of conflict, natural disasters, and other situations of increased trauma and stress, all of which indicates our need to increase awareness on child abuse and the signs.
What are the symptoms and signs of shaken baby syndrome?
The injuries associated with shaken baby syndrome may not be immediately noticeable. Infants may present with nonspecific complaints, such as irritability or vomiting. These symptoms are caused by the developing increased pressure within the brain (intracranial pressure) caused by brain hemorrhages and swelling. These infants often develop additional symptoms, such as lethargy, breathing difficulties, and seizures. (MedicineNet.com)
Please see the previous article, Knowing the signs of abuse to protect our children, to learn more on how you can protect and prevent children from abuse.
While we need to increase our awareness and prevention programs, we must also strengthen our laws to both protect children and prosecute abusers, as well as our social welfare system to aid in better prevention and reporting of all forms of child abuse and neglect.
See my previous posts on child abuse here.
