"Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome" Project

Sunday 07/05/2009 – The project of preventing shaken baby syndrome was launched at Barzilai Medical Center.
The event was initiated by the National Council for the Child in cooperation with the Schusterman Foundation, Barzilai Medical Center and the Ashkelon Health District Office.
The phenomenon of shaken babies is well recognized worldwide and is known as Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). A child's crying and irritation are common triggers for the frustration  that can lead to violence of the caregiver who shakes the baby in anger.  In most cases the caregivers are not acting with malicious intent but the act of shaking can result with severe health consequences.  Estimated death rates (mortality) among infants is 20–25%. Nonfatal consequences include irreversible brain damage, varying degrees of visual impairment (including blindness) and other disabilities.  Babies can suffer from seizures or intracranial injuries. Consequences of undiagnosed and untreated injury can be presented in the future as motor, behavioral or cognitive impairments.
The National Council for the Child in cooperation with the Schusterman Foundation initiated a prevention project aiming to increase awareness to SBS among parents, caregivers and professionals who maintain contact with infants. At first stage the project will be initiated at the West Negev District and later will be activated all over Israel.
Barzilai Medical Center and Ashkelon Health District Office in cooperation with the National Council for the Child will activate guidance at the medical center and in the infant welfare centers in Ashkelon district.