Infant death

Terms to remember
• Infanticide: Unlawful destruction of child under age of one year
• Still Birth: Born after 28th week of pregnancy, but does not show any
sign of life after being completely born.
• Dead born: Foetus which has died in utero. Shows Maceration or rigor
mortis at delivery.
• Mummification: When foetus dies from deficient supply of blood,
scanty liqour amnii and no air in uterus.
• Live birth: Child showed some sign of life, when only part of the child
was out of the mother, though the child may not have breathed or
completely born. Death of such infant is considered homicide.
Battered Baby Syndrome
INTRODUCTION
• Non-accidental trauma to children, representing a major cause of
morbidity and mortality during childhood.
• Abuse is more common among stepchildren, handicapped, and first-
born children
• Victims less than 2yrs; Avg. age= 16 months
• Causes Shaken Baby Syndrome
• Caffey’s syndrome/ Child Abuse syndrome
Signs
• Multiple fractures in various stages of healing
• Corner and bucket-handle metaphyseal fractures.
• Pulmonary infiltrate without fever suggests lung contusion.
• Internal injuries and other bruises
• Cuts
• Burns
Shaken baby syndrome
• Also known as abusive head trauma, shaken impact syndrome, inflicted head injury or
whiplash shake syndrome
• Due to forcefully shaking an infant or toddler.
• Symptoms
• Extreme fussiness or irritability
• Difficulty staying awake
• Breathing problems
• Poor eating
• Vomiting
• Pale or bluish skin
• Seizures
• Paralysis
• Coma
• Injuries that might not be immediately seen include bleeding in the brain and eyes,
spinal cord damage, and fractures of the ribs, skull, legs and other bones
Complications
• Partial or total blindness
• Developmental delays, learning problems or behavior issues
• Intellectual disability
• Seizure disorders
• Cerebral palsy
• Subdural Hematoma
References
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shaken-baby-
syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20366619
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-
dentistry/battered-child-syndrome