Last updated: May 16, 2024
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention

Key Points

Abusive head trauma is a leading cause of child abuse deaths in children under five years of age.
Abusive head trauma can be prevented by understanding the dangers of shaking a baby and offering support to parents and caregivers.

What Is Abusive Head Trauma?

Abusive head trauma, including shaken baby syndrome, is a severe form of child abuse that results in brain injury.

How It Occurs

Often happens when a parent or caregiver becomes angry or frustrated because of a child's crying
Caused by violent shaking and/or blunt impact to the head
Can cause bleeding around the brain or behind the eyes

Who Is at Greatest Risk?

Infants less than one year old are at the greatest risk of injury from abusive head trauma
Crying, including long periods of inconsolable crying, is a normal behavior in infants
Shaking, throwing, or hitting a baby is never an appropriate response to crying

Quick Facts and Statistics

In the United States, abusive head trauma:

Statistic	Detail
Leading cause of death	A leading cause of child abuse deaths in children under five years of age
Proportion of maltreatment deaths	Accounts for approximately one-third of all child maltreatment deaths
Peak vulnerability	Infants under one year old face the highest risk of injury

Outcomes

Nearly all victims of abusive head trauma suffer serious, long-term health consequences.

Potential Long-Term Effects

Vision problems or blindness
Developmental delays and cognitive impairments
Physical disabilities and motor function limitations
Hearing loss
Seizure disorders
Learning and behavioral challenges

Mortality Risk

As many as one in four babies who experience abusive head trauma dies from this form of child abuse.

Prevention

Anyone can play a role in preventing abusive head trauma. It is important to understand that infant crying is most intense in the first few months of life but will improve as the child grows.

If You Are a Parent or Caregiver

Strategies to Calm a Crying Baby

Swaddle the baby in a blanket
Hold your baby against your bare skin for skin-to-skin contact
Offer a pacifier
Rock gently while singing or talking softly
Take a walk with the baby in a stroller
Go for a short drive with the baby properly secured in a car seat

When You Feel Overwhelmed

Focus on calming yourself first—parenting is hard work, and it is okay to ask for help
Put the baby in a safe place, such as a crib, and walk away to regain composure
Check on the baby every five to ten minutes while you calm down
Call a friend, relative, neighbor, parent helpline, or your child's healthcare provider for support

Additional Safety Guidelines

If the baby will not stop crying, check for signs of illness and contact a healthcare provider if needed
Never leave your baby alone with a person who is easily irritated, has a temper, or a history of violence

Mental Health Support for Parents

Not feeling like yourself? Let's talk about it.
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides free, confidential, 24/7 emotional support, resources, and referrals to pregnant and postpartum women and their loved ones.
Call or text: 1-833-852-6262

If You Are a Friend, Family Member, or Community Member

Be aware of new parents in your family and community who may need help or support
Offer to give a parent or caregiver a break when needed
Encourage parents to take a break if the baby is safe in the crib
Respond with sensitivity and support when parents are dealing with a crying baby
Advocate for work policies that make it easier for working parents to stay with their infants during periods of increased crying (typically between 4 and 20 weeks of age)

Resources

For Professionals and Researchers

Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma: Recommended Definitions for Public Health Surveillance and Research
This publication improves the quality and consistency of data collected on abusive head trauma in children, supporting more effective prevention and intervention efforts.

For Parents and Caregivers

Period of PURPLE Crying
Developed by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, this resource helps prevent shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma by providing evidence-based programs and services to parents and professionals across North America. The program educates caregivers about normal infant crying patterns and safe coping strategies.

About CDC's Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Work

CDC works to prevent child abuse and neglect by:
- Conducting surveillance and research to understand the scope and causes of maltreatment
- Identifying risk and protective factors at individual, family, community, and societal levels
- Developing and promoting evidence-based prevention strategies
- Providing data, tools, and resources to support communities, practitioners, and policymakers

Preventing abusive head trauma requires a coordinated public health approach that supports families, educates caregivers, and strengthens community systems.

This content is adapted from the official CDC website. For the most current information, please visit cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect.