Understand The Effects of Child Abuse

The effects of child abuse are often long term, irreversible, and may even be fatal. Shaken Baby Syndrome is caused when a child is forcefully or violently thrown or shaken. The infant's brain will move within his/her skull due to weak neck muscles and the gap between an infant's brain and skull, and the brain will bang against the walls of the skull. This will often cause extensive brain trauma that may have severe consequences.

One of the effects of child abuse is that an infant who is shaken will obtain a Subdural Hematoma. A Subdural Hematoma occurs when an infant's brain is bruised and it causes a pool of blood to collect in the space between the infant's brain and skull. Shaken Baby Syndrome may also result in Cerebral Edema, or brain swelling. Both of these injuries can be fatal.

Another one of the effects of child abuse in infants is axonal shearing. This occurs when a child's brain tissue tears due to aggressive shaking. Axonal shearing results in damaged neurons and causes the connections between neurons to break down. This may have an extremely negative effect on a child's normal function.

s a result of Shaken Baby Syndrome, a child may be inflicted with retinal hemorrhages, which occurs when the inside of an infant's eye begins to bleed. Because of this, pools of blood may be visible in the child's eyes. A baby who has been subjected to this type of abuse may also obtain fractures along their ribs and skull.

Some of the common effects of child abuse in infants are learning disabilities and behavioral problems. These are the most benign effects of Shaken Baby Syndrome. As a result of the injuries that a child will sustain due to violent throwing or shaking, the infant may suffer from mental retardation and may never be able to experience a normal life. Other effects of child abuse to infants that are subjected to shaking trauma are blindness and hearing loss. A child may also experience difficulties with speech and communication.

In many cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome, the infant will develop a condition known as Cerebral Palsy due to the injuries that they have sustained. Cerebral Palsy is a condition that is often caused by brain trauma and results in impaired motor functions. An individual who suffers from this condition may have difficulty walking due to muscles that are extremely tight or very weak. They may also experience tremors, jerking, loss of coordination, and loss of balance. An individual who is suffering from Cerebral Palsy may find it difficult to complete normal, daily activities.

In some of the worst cases, a child who is suffering from Shaken Baby Syndrome may become paralyzed due to spinal injury or nerve damage. A child may never be able to walk due to a mindless act of an adult. Seizures will often be an effect of this type of abuse.

In many cases, a child who has been subjected to violent or forceful shaking will end up in a coma and will spend the rest of their lives in a vegetable state. Many times, the injuries that an infant receives due to this form of child abuse will result in the death of the child.

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