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Warning-sign checks

Shaken baby syndrome: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services now if a baby or young child may have been shaken, struck, or thrown.

    Tell the emergency team exactly what may have happened.

    Emergency help is also needed for:

    • Trouble breathing, pauses in breathing, or blue or grey skin
    • A seizure
    • Loss of consciousness or difficulty waking
    • Sudden limpness, weakness, or collapse
    • Repeated vomiting with unusual sleepiness
    • A rapidly worsening change in behaviour or responsiveness

    If the child is not breathing, follow emergency dispatch instructions and begin infant or child CPR if you know how.

    If you believe a child is currently at risk of being harmed, contact emergency services or your local child-protection service.

    Move the child to a safe setting if you can do so without creating more danger.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Do not wait for symptoms to appear.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is appropriate for ongoing developmental, vision, hearing, movement, learning, or behaviour concerns in a child who has already been medically assessed and is otherwise stable.

    New seizures, breathing problems, or reduced consciousness are not routine concerns.

The article also says

Do not shake the child to try to wake them.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Shaken baby syndrome. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.