Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) represents the most severe form of child abuse and accounts for the majority of severe head injuries in children less than 1 year of age. It has 15-35% mortality with half of the survivors suffering permanent neurological damage leading to blindness, seizures, developmental delays, and spasticity. It is estimated that 1,400 children die of abusive injuries in the United States each year, and most deaths are attributed to severe head injuries. Violent infant shaking is most commonly a caregiver’s response to persistent infant crying: nearly three-quarters of perpetrators are parents, and 60% are males.

The Upstate New York Shaken Baby Syndrome Education Program is a hospital based parent education program designed to educate every parent of every child in Upstate New York about the dangers of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). This program began in December 1998; thus far, over 7 years, the program has resulted in a sustained 50% reduction in the incidence of abusive head injuries in the region. This data has been published in the April 2005 edition of the journal Pediatrics.

The Upstate New York SBS Education Program provides educational materials to both parents on the birth of every child in the region, and in turn asks them to voluntarily sign a commitment statement that affirms their receipt and understanding of the materials they received. These commitment statements are returned by participating hospitals and are tracked to determine the effectiveness of the program. All hospitals in the combined 17 counties are actively participating in the program, and there have been over 120,000 commitment statements returned signed by parents.

This program has served as the model of SBS prevention and has sparked the creation of numerous other programs worldwide. It was presented at a conference in Auckland, New Zealand where a version of the program is being considered for their entire country. The program has put Upstate New York ‘on the map’ with respect to its proactive stance in combating SBS, with articles in the New York Times and other papers, and interviews on Good Morning America, the BBC, and radio stations across the globe.

Through the success of the Upstate NY SBS Education Program and the strong support of local advocates, a state law was enacted in November 2004 institutionalizing the education program initiated by Kaleida Health’s Women and Children’s of Buffalo. This legislation serves to enhance the efforts of existing programs to educate all parents in New York State.about the dangers of infant shaking.

The new phase in the SBS Education Program is a partnership with the pediatric care providers in these 17 counties. This involves a ‘booster shot’ in the form of additional educational materials provided at the first doctor’s office visit. This reinforces the message provided at birth. An educational card to help parents cope with a crying infant is shared with all parents at the baby’s first office visit. The first phase of the program has been very successful; we are optimistic that this next phase will enhance these results.

The Upstate NY SBS Education Program has truly made a difference in the community.This prevention campaign, designed to raise public awareness and educate parents and others about the dangers of violent infant shaking and abuse could potentially save the lives of many children and improve the lives of many others.

The Upstate New York Shaken Baby Education Program has been made possible through the generous support of The William B. Hoyt Children & Family Trust Fund, Kaleida Health, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Independent Health and Univera Healthcare.

Kim Smith RN (E-mail: KSmith@kaleidahealth.org)
Program Coordinator

Kathy DeGuehery RN (E-mail: KDeGuehery@kaleidahealth.org)
Program Coordinator

	To order support materials please contact the vendors list below. The Video: Portrait of Promise (Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome) The Child Abuse Project Jane Swenson CNP Midwest Children's Resource Center Suite 401 Garden View Bldg. 347 No. Smith Ave St. Paul, MN 55102 Phone: (651) 220-6750 Posters: SBS Prevention Plus 649 Main St. Groveport, Ohio 43125 Phone: 1 (800) 858-5222 Commitment Statements and Crying Cards: North Delaware Printing 645 Delaware St. Tonawanda, NY 14150 Phone: (716) 692-0576