Shaken baby syndrome refers to a serious brain injury that can occur when a child's head is injured through violent shaking or through violent impact such as being slammed against a wall or thrown on the floor.
October 09, 2025
high
definition
Medical definition of the diagnosis commonly used in legal and forensic contexts.
As of 2025, shaken baby syndrome has been subject to scrutiny, with some lawyers and medical experts arguing the diagnosis has led to wrongful convictions while prosecutors and medical societies continue to maintain that the diagnosis remains valid.
October 09, 2025
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controversy
Summarizes ongoing debate about the reliability and legal implications of the shaken baby syndrome diagnosis.
Shaken baby syndrome is a diagnosis for a serious brain injury in young children caused by violent shaking or other traumatic impacts to the head, such as being slammed against a wall or thrown onto a hard surface.
October 09, 2025
high
descriptive
General medical definition of the diagnosis
Medical understanding of 'shaken baby syndrome' has evolved, with courts and medical experts raising questions about whether shaking alone can produce the types of internal bleeding commonly attributed to the diagnosis.
January 01, 2023
high
medical
Emerging scientific and legal scrutiny of the causal link between shaking and certain internal injuries historically used to diagnose shaken baby syndrome.
Shaken baby syndrome describes a serious brain injury in children caused by forceful shaking or other violent impacts to the head, such as being slammed against a wall or thrown onto a floor.
high
definition
Medical/forensic definition commonly cited in criminal investigations of child abuse.