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News Release

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Brian Lopez

(801) 627-3399 ext.104

blopez@dontshake.org

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Program aims to prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome despite the stresses of a broken economy

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OGDEN, UT Ð May 13, 2010 Ð As the American economy continues to struggle, the additional stressors put on families may be causing unintentional injuries to their children. A recent study conducted by a group of researchers headed by Dr. Rachel Berger at ChildrenÕs Hospital of Pittsburgh and presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada shows a relationship between the weakening economy and the rise of the incidence of shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma (SBS/AHT).

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Data recorded from four hospitals in Pittsburgh, PA; Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, OH; and Seattle, WA from January 2004 through June 2009 show that the number of SBS/AHT cases rose from 4.8 per month prior to December 1, 2007 (defined as the start of the recession) to 9.3 per month following that date. In BergerÕs study, 63% of the children were admitted to a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and 16% died. The data represent 512 cases of abusive head trauma in children.

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ÒThe results of the study are very concerning and highlight the need for increased prevention efforts during times of economic hardship,Ó says Marilyn Barr, Founder and Executive Director of the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. ÒFrustration with a babyÕs crying is the number one trigger for shaking, and the stress of handling a crying infant can seem overwhelming.Ó

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Hospitals and organizations nationwide are responding by educating parents about the Period of PURPLE Crying, a stage when normal, perfectly healthy babies can cry for five hours a day or more. Since January 2009, 289 hospitals and organizations have implemented the PURPLE program, which includes giving an 11-page booklet and 10-minute DVD to every family of new baby to take home with them.

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Currently, the PURPLE program has a presence in 45 out of 50 states with 4 states (Utah, North Carolina, Maine and Kansas) implementing state-wide programs where every birthing hospital will be providing the program to new families. Additionally, Iowa and Oregon have implemented state-wide initiatives that will reach at least 80% of the total births for each state with the PURPLE program.

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The Period of PURPLE Crying is a normal developmental phase that all healthy babies experience between two weeks and four months, characterized by long periods of crying. The letters in PURPLE stand for:

¥ÊÊÊÊÊÊ Peak of cryingÐ The baby may cry more each week, peaking at two months, and then less at three to five months.

¥ÊÊÊÊÊÊ UnexpectedÐ The crying can come and go, with no explanation.

¥ÊÊÊÊÊÊ Resists soothingÐ The baby might not stop crying no matter what you try.

¥ÊÊÊÊÊÊ Pain-like faceÐ It may look like the baby is in pain, even when they are not.

¥ÊÊÊÊÊÊ Long lastingÐ The baby might cry 5 hours per day or more.

¥ÊÊÊÊÊÊ EveningÐ The baby might cry more in the late afternoon or evening, just when parents are getting home from work and tired from a long day.

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ÒThe Period of PURPLE Crying program shows parents that crying by an otherwise healthy baby is normal and is not caused by something that they are doing wrong,Ó says Barr. ÒAdditionally, the program helps parents understand that the inconsolable crying does come to an end, which can be very comforting to parents.Ó

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For more information about the Period of PURPLE Crying, go to www.purplecrying.info.

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