Ophthalmology of shaken baby syndrome

Abstract

Retinal hemorrhages are an important indicator of Shaken Baby syndrome. However, a thorough description which includes the number, type, and distribution pattern of hemorrhages can be useful in determining their specificity. In particular, numerous pre-retinal, intraretinal, and subretinal hemorrhages extending out to the edges of the retina and/or splitting of the retina (traumatic retinoschisis) seem to be particularly indicative of shaking with a very narrow differential diagnosis. Shaking appears to be a key element in creating hemorrhagic retinopathy.