Violently shaking a newborn to try to calm his inconsolable cry can cause a form of brain trauma which in 1 case out of 4 leads to coma or death: it is the shoes of the shocked child (Shaken Baby Syndrome), today in Italy still too little known. On 5, 6 and 7 April, the national prevention days return they bring, In 70 cities of 18 Italian regions, the infopoints of the Terre des Hommes campaign does not do it! To explain what Shaken Baby Syndrome is and how to prevent it. For the occasion also the Pirelli skyscraper in Milan, the Mole Antonelliana in Turin and the Institute of the Innocenti of Florence, will be illuminated with the colors and the symbol of the countryside on the evening of April 6.
The initiative is organized by the Terre des Hommes and Simeup Foundation (Italian Society of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics), with Anpas (National Association of Public Assistance), FIMP (Italian Federation of Pediatric Doctors), as well as with the hospital network for the prevention of childish abuse. The most affected by this form of cerebral trauma are children between 2 weeks and 6 months of lifea period of maximum intensity of the crying cry, which can take on characteristics such as to bring the parent or those who take care of the child to react uncontrolled and violently, shaking the infant. In 1 case out of 4 this gesture can cause the coma or the death of the newborn, but many others are the devastating effects that a few seconds of shaking can cause, compromising forever the future and growth of the child: brain damage, vision or hearing problems, behavioral or motor coordination disorders.
This is what emerges from First survey on the cases of children and girls victims of Shaken Baby Syndrome in Italymade by Terre des Hommes with the hospital network against childhood abuse in 2023. «As Simeup we have been at the forefront for years to raise awareness of the theme of shoes of the shocked child, he says Stefania Zampognapresident of the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine and Pediatric Urgency. «It is essential that parents, caregivers and health workers recognize the risk signals and understand how important it is to intervene with awareness. Prevention passes from training and closeness to families, especially in moments of greater fragility “.
“The shaken child syndrome is a form of often unaware infantal abuse, which can derive from the poor information and total unawareness of the dramatic consequences that, the loss of control, even for a few seconds, can have on the newborn. Therefore, therefore, it is not always the result of a real intention of harming the child – he explains Federica GiannottaAdvocacy Manager and Terre Des Hommes’ Italia Programs – For this reason it can be easily avoided with correct information and training of parents and anyone else who takes care of the child. It is important to illustrate what behaviors should never be adopted to try to calm the cry of the newborn and that, if you feel you are losing control, rather than incurring harmful behaviors, it can be useful to move a short moment from the childleaving him in a safe place, recover his own balance and ask for help ».
The role of pediatricians and first aid operators is essential to recognize and prevent cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome. In 1 case out of 3 of those analyzed in the survey of Terre des Hommes, in fact, the children affected by this syndrome had already been conducted in the emergency room and had other signs of mistreatment.
Information points on shocked child syndrome They will be in Abruzzo in Avezzano, Chieti, L’Aquila, Pescara, Teramo and Vasto, in Basilicata in Potenza and Lauria, in Calabria in Catanzaro, Cetraro, Crotone and Polistena, in Campania in Naples, Emilia-Romagna in Carpi, Fidenza, Parma and Pavullo in Frignano (MO), in Friuli Venezia Giulia in Latisana, and Trieste; In Lazio in Rome and Pontecorvo, in Liguria in Genoa, in Lombardy in Albino, Ribolla, Bergamo, Brescia, Clusone, Milan, Seriate, Trescore Balneario and Vigevano, in Molise in Campobasso, in Piedmont in Alessandria, Ciriè, Novara, Ovada, Pinerolo, Savigliano, and Turin, in Puglia in Acquaviva, Bari, Bisceglia, Bisceglia. of Bari; In Sardinia in Cagliari and Nuoro, in Sicily at Casa Santa Erice, Catania, Marsala, Mazara del Vallo, Messina, Palermo, and Trapani, in Tuscany, Colle Val d’Elsa, in Florence and Pisa, in Trentino Alto Adige in Brentonico, Merano, Pergine Valsugana, Silandro, in Umbria in Foligno and in Veneto in Bassano del Grappa, Padua, and Verona. The updated list of infopoints and all the cities involved is on Nonscuoterlo.it
Federfarma Milan, Lodi, Monza, Brianza and Federfarma Foggia, Sassari and Verona also join the initiative, Thanks to which videos and information materials will be disseminated in pharmacies on their respective territories. Also, too The Italian infantile massage association (Aimi) is partner of the campaign and will be present in some infopoints.
