Abusive head trauma in infants and children

Abusive head trauma (AHT) is the leading cause of preventable, traumatic head injury in those under the age of two years.

Abusive head trauma or injury is preferred over previous terms such as "shaken baby syndrome" or "infant whiplash syndrome", as trauma may be inflicted by blunt force trauma, shaking, or a combination of these or other forces. The significance of the diagnosis is similar regardless of the underlying mechanism.

Learning objectives include:

• Gaining an understanding of what AHT is and how injury occurs.
• Being able to identify appropriate investigations and referrals should there be a suspicion of AHT.
• Recognising injuries that may be present in shaken infants.
• Recognising the causative triggers and social risk factors that leave the under two’s more susceptible to AHT.
• Gaining an understanding of how to support, advise and educate carers to minimise the risk of their child being shaken.

Acknowledgements

This content was created by Joanne Smith Specialist Clinical Nurse DipHE Nursing (Child Health). It was reviewed by Dr Hazel Fuiava, MBChB, Dip Paeds, FRNZCGP.