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Abusive head injuries in infants: from founders to denialism and beyond
Matthieu Vinchon1,2, Federico Di Rocco3
1Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France. mvinchon@yahoo.fr.
Insights
Abusive head injuries (AHI) in infants are a leading cause of death and severe disability. Addressing denialism surrounding shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is crucial for advancing research and improving diagnosis to protect children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric medicine
- Neurology
- Forensic pathology
Background:
- Abusive head injuries (AHI) represent a significant cause of infant mortality and severe morbidity from head trauma.
- The historical understanding of AHI has evolved to encompass shaken baby syndrome (SBS) and Silverman syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical emergence and current understanding of abusive head injuries (AHI).
- To discuss the impact of denialism on AHI research and diagnosis.
- To emphasize the role of pediatric neurosurgeons in AHI prevention and child abuse research.
Main Methods:
- Review of published data.
- Analysis of clinical and medicolegal practice.
- Discussion of the phenomenon of denialism in the context of AHI.
Main Results:
- The concept of AHI has evolved significantly, leading to current scientific understanding of SBS.
- Denialism regarding SBS poses a significant challenge, undermining prevention and victim support.
- AHI is situated within a broader context of domestic violence and child abuse.
Conclusions:
- Preventing AHI is a critical future challenge.
- Increased research and diagnostic accuracy are needed to combat AHI.
- The contribution of pediatric neurosurgeons is vital for scientific advancement and child abuse prevention.
Introduction:
Abusive head injuries is a major cause of severe morbidity and the main cause of mortality by head trauma in infants.
Material And Methods:
Based on published data and their own clinical and medicolegal practice, the authors review briefly the historical roots and emergence of the concept of abusive head injuries (AHI), until the present scientific understanding of shaken baby syndrome (SBS) and Silverman syndrome. They then discuss the present epidemic of denialism and how this challenge to science should be seen as a stimulus to increase research and improve the accuracy of diagnosis and medical practice.
Results:
The denial of SBS is especially damaging because it undermines the possibilities of prevention and reparation for victims. The authors expand on AHI being part of a wider context of domestic violence and the prevention of child abuse being part of a broad and long-term endeavor to defend civilization values.
Conclusions:
Prevention of AHI is a major challenge for the future. In the fields of science and prevention of child abuse, the input of pediatric neurosurgeons should not be underestimated.
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