Keeping Our
Children Safe
The blue ribbon is recognized as the national symbol of child abuse awareness.
What are recognizable signs of child abuse – in infants, toddlers and older children?
Dr. Wright:
Any bruise in an infant who is not mobile is
abnormal and highly suspicious of child abuse. The child should
undergo a thorough medical evaluation. Children who don’t
cruise – certainly those 4 months and younger – rarely bruise. The
bruising can be very subtle. For children 4 years and younger, any
bruise to the torso, ears or neck also needs to be fully evaluated
for an abusive situation. Those are not normal bruises, unlike
bruises to the shin or forehead in children who are walking and
playing. In addition, our suspicion rises when a child is vomiting
but doesn’t have a fever, diarrhea or some other medical ailment.
Sometimes that can indicate that there’s been some head trauma.
Behavior changes can also be a sign of abuse. If your son or
daughter suddenly becomes more withdrawn or fearful of some
individual, that needs to be investigated as well.
What is shaken baby syndrome, or abusive head trauma?
Dr. Wright:
It usually occurs when a baby’s crying is
unconsolable and frustration rises to the point where the child
is picked up and physically shaken back and forth. The neck
muscles of babies are not very well-developed, so the head will
literally flop back and forth. It can occur with as few as three
rapid shakes. When the shaking starts, the brain bounces against
the bony structures inside the head. It can cause bleeding to the
brain tissue and can lead to serious damage or death. Often, those
children will also have fractured ribs. Another result could be
bleeding in the eye that could cause damage or even blindness.
Abusive head trauma can have life and death implications.
What kinds of injuries lead to death or near-death?
Dr. Wright:
Most of the injuries involving fatalities are injuries
to the brain, whether it’s shaken baby or blunt force trauma in
which the child is hit in the head. The child could be thrown up
against a wall or thrown down on the floor. Such trauma does
the most damage and is F