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 Most of us remember the tragic death of little Matthew Eappen and the trial, Commonwealth v. Louise Woodward. In that case, a 19 year old Boston nanny was convicted of manslaughter in the shaking death of 8 month old Matty Eappen. Unfortunately, the Matty Eappen tragedy was not an isolated incident. In one recent year, there were six cases of SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME (SBS) in Central Massachusetts alone. February In Milford, Massachusetts, Baby A, age 18 months, was brought to the hospital in a coma with multiple bruises on her face and ears, after she was shaken. Baby A died of her injuries. The babysitter, a male friend of the mother, was charged. March In Holden, Massachustts, Baby B, age 2 months, was brought to the hospital suffering from seizures and a skull fracture. His father was charged. May In Worcester, Massachustts, Baby C, age 3 months, suffered extensive brain damage and blindness after a second shaking episode. Her mother was charged. September In Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Baby D, age 5 months, was brought to the hospital when she stopped breathing. She was found to be suffering from retinal hemorrhages and subdural hemotomas, the results of shaking. October In the Brookfield area, a day care provider brought Baby E, age 2 months, to the hospital when the infant “stopped breathing”. She was diagnosed with SBS. December In Fitchburg, Baby F, age 4 months, was injured by violent shaking. After the first three cases, we knew that we couldn't just sit around and wait for the telephone to ring with more sad news. Shaken Baby Syndrome is a particularly insidious form of child abuse--one of the most frequent causes of catastrophic brain injury and death in young babies. And like all forms of child abuse, Shaken Baby Syndrome is preventable. We started to look for help, for a prevention program that would work. Coincidentally, just about the same time, the New York Times ran a story about a hospital-based SBS education program in Buffalo, New York, developed by a neurosurgeon, Mark Dias, M.D. Then we learned that Massachusetts Citizens for Children, a Boston-based child advocacy organization, was looking for a site to pilot Dr. Dias' program. We were on our way. To find out more about the Worcester Model CLICK HERE  DA/DSS Roundtable | 6 Tragedies | | Return Home | About SBS | About the Campaign | What's New? | Great Links | |
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