First Shaken Baby Prevention Research Project Begins

Recent reports show that child abuse prevention experts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Injury Prevention Research Center will begin a project focused on shaken baby prevention.

The project will supposedly donate $7 million towards statewide shaken baby prevention.

Project Aimed at Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome

The project is reportedly the largest in the country and is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and The Duke Endowment, to name a few of the organizations involved.

The project hopes to reach the parents of every child born in North Carolina each year.

By documenting each birth, the researchers are focused on reducing the number of deaths and injuries when caregivers shake crying babies.

“In a baseline survey of parents of children younger than two-years-old in North Carolina, we found that more than 2,000 of these children are shaken, to a greater or lesser extent, by a caregiver each year and that serious injuries result for some,” explains Dr. Desmond Runyan, a professor at UNC and principal investigator for the project.

Cerebral Palsy Results from Shaking Babies

According to researchers, babies who are shaken can develop long-term problems such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation and blindness.

“This shows the need for, and potential benefits of preventing shaking,” says Dr. Runyan.

Previous studies have concluded that shaking babies is not only common, but it’s also a leading cause of infant mortality and can cause cerebral palsy.

(Source: NewsWise)

Do you have a child who has developed cerebral palsy? Contact us to speak with an experienced cerebral palsy lawyer who will ensure that you and your loved ones are receiving the legal care and guidance you deserve and need.