Modeling Neck and Brain Injuries in Infants

by Ernesto Ponce and Daniel Ponce

Each year, there are many reported cases of brain and cervical lesions in infants, not only from falls or other accidents but also from child abuse as a result of violent shaking (called shaken baby syndrome, or SBS) or a blow to the head (called abusive head trauma, or AHT). The most prevalent types of brain lesions due to SBS are subskull bleeding and bleeding into the retina. Vigorous shaking can also cause neck injuries. Between 7 and 30 percent of SBS cases result in death; 30 to 50 percent result in serious cognitive and neurological disorders. Roughly 30 percent of cases have a chance of recovery, but with a high risk of long-term neurological problems. READ FULL ARTICLE (login required) »