Prepared by Kathi Makoroff, MD, Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Updates by Jesse Capone

Abusive head injury (shaken baby syndrome) is the most frequent cause of traumatic mortality and morbidity in infants. Although advancements have been made in the recognition of the clinical, radiographical and pathological findings in abusive head injury, little is known about the long-term outcomes in these patients. 

Specifically, the prognosis of infants and children with less severe acute injuries is not known. This review highlights case reports and prospective or retrospective studies that discuss the clinical outcomes of infants and children following abusive head injury.