Brian Lopez
Ashley Shreeve, BS
Member
2025 Family Symposium Program
All Times are Mountain Time Zone
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Danielle Vázquez, Executive Director : National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
Opening Remarks
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM
Emily Bodily, Mother of Elijah, Shaken and Killed at 16 Months of Age
Rebuilding Trust
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Claire and Chris Sandys, Hosts of The Silent Why Podcast
Types of Grief and If Hope Can Be Found
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Marisa McPeck-Stringham, LCSW, Clinical Therapist
Secondary Trauma Victims Support
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
The Matty Eappen Foundation
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Zoubida Pasha, Parent Advocate: Family Resource Center on Disabilities
IEP and Navigating the School System
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
Rachel Golightly, Information and Research Specialist: National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
NCSBS Resources for Families
2:50 PM - 3:00 PM
Danielle Vázquez, Executive Director : National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
Closing Remarks
2022 Philadelphia
Eighteenth International Conference on Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma
The Eighteenth International Conference on Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma was held on October 23, 24, 25, 2022 at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. It was extremely well-attended, with more than 400 people participating in over 60 sessions focusing on family/victim support, investigative techniques, legal and trial experiences, prevention programs from around the world, the latest research from experts in the field, and shared experiences from parents and survivors.
We were honored to have the conference kick off with a presentation by Dr. Hank Puls, “The Rates of AHT During COVID-19.”
Some of the other highlights of the 3-day event included:
- Dr. Mary Case being presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. The award was presented by Dr. Lucy Roarke-Adams. Dr. Case has spent her career as a forensic pathologist speaking for child victims of abuse and as an expert witness for shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma.
- Our “Ask The Experts” panel was facilitated by Dr. Randall Alexander, Dr. Lori Frasier, Tom Fallon (JD), and Joelle Moreno (JD). The discussion was vibrant and informative.
- The premier of “A Survivor’s Story” featuring Josh Sorrels, filmed by Christopher Baier, relating the story of adult Josh discovering he is a victim of shaken baby syndrome.
- A powerful and moving presentation by Sameer Sabir, “Justice for Rehma,” as he discussed the loss of his daughter to this devastating form of abuse and the judicial process that victimized the family further.
The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome is indebted to the willing experts who presented at the conference, shared years of experience, research, and knowledge, and to the brave families and victims who shared their heartbreaking stories.
Meg Walker, RN, MSN
Vice Chair
Catherine Green
2019 Sydney
International Symposium on Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma
After nearly twenty years, the NCSBS had the privilege to lead a training opportunity in Australia. The International Symposium on Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma was hosted jointly by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome and the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network (SCHN) and was sponsored by Prevention and Response to Violence Abuse and Neglect (PARVAN) Unit, a department of the NSW Ministry of Health.
Nearly 350 professionals came together from a multitude of disciplines including: pathology, pediatrics, nursing, social work, law enforcement, rehabilitation and many more. Experts from numerous countries around the world shared their latest research and experiences.
The Symposium began with a poignant welcome from Dr. Kim Oates, a leader in the medical field in Australia. The first session of the day brought presenters from three countries together as they discussed their publish research on the financial burden an SBS/AHT case can have on society and how these figures can be used to advocate for prevention. One of the most talked about sessions was Dr. Carole Jenny’s (Seattle, Washington) discussing how biomechanics can affect the field’s view on SBS/AHT. Dr. Arabinda Choudhary (Little Rock, Arkansas) share his groundbreaking work in utilizing an array of imaging techniques to diagnosis Abusive Head Trauma cases. To end this successful event, Mr. Andrew Waterman, Detective Chief Inspector (Sydney, Australia), discussed his investigative experiences with suspected cases of Abusive Head Trauma.
The Symposium was a huge success and the NCSBS and SCHN hope to have the opportunity to bring the event back to the region much sooner again!
Emily Bodily
Secretary / Treasurer
2018 Orlando
Sixteenth International Conference
The Sixteenth International Conference on Shaken Baby Syndrome was another tremendous conference. This bi-annual event was held in Orlando, Florida on September 16, 17, 18, 2018 at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. With over 60 sessions, this conference focused on the latest medical diagnostic innovations, investigative and legal procedures and techniques, evidence-based and creative SBS/AHT prevention programs and support for victim families.
The conference started with an extremely educational presentation by Dr. Andrew Baker, “Detection, Documentation, and Interpretation of Fractures in the Deceased Infant and Small Child: The Autopsy Perspective. This presentation provided useful guidelines to utilize radiographical skeletal surveys in pediatric autopsies. The conference concluded with a presentation from physicians, Dr. Stephen Boos and Dr. Daniel Lindberg, and prosecutors, Erica Kallin and Matthew Torbenson. The panel provided a close examination of the common diagnoses discussed in the court system to dispute AHT symptoms and injuries by featuring a mock trial with expert testimony highlighting important dos and don’ts as well as useful cross examination techniques.
In addition to the superb line-up of workshop presentations, the conference featured the always popular Basics Track for legal professionals. A majority of these sessions were recorded and will be available for future viewing through the NCSBS online training modules at training.dontshake.org.
Watch the Stories Unfold
The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome is honored to share the personal stories of those affected by Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma. Please take a minute to watch these short video clips and learn from a few of the countless victims and their families that have been devastated by this preventable form of abuse.
2016 Montreal
Fifteenth International Conference
The Fifteenth International Conference on Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma was held on September 25, 26, 27, 2016 in Montreal, Quebec.
Presenters from twelve countries shared the latest medical research, prevention efforts and investigative techniques. The program featured keynote presenter Ranny Cooper. As the former Chief of Staff for Ted Kennedy, Ranny shared her knowledge and experience in crafting an appropriate message when working with the media. Additionally, three physicians discussed the importance of clinicians sharing their experiences with others not only as a message for prevention but also as a way to process the realities of dealing with these devastating cases.
New at the conference was a Basics Track. Designed for individuals new to the field, experts provided an overview of important topics such as biomechanics, skeletal injuries, mimics of AHT, and investigative basics. This feature was highly successful.
Medical Consensus
-
General Consensus
In May 2018, The Society for Pediatric Radiology (SPR), European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR), American Society of Pediatric Neuroradiology (ASPNR), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), European Society of Neuroradiology (ESNR), American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC), Swedish Paediatric Society, Norwegian Pediatric Association and Japanese Pediatric Society published a joint consensus statement on abusive head trauma/shaken baby syndrome. This is the most comprehensive and complete consensus statement published to date. The statement is published in Pediatric Radiology.
American Academy of Pediatrics
The AAP's Abusive Head Trauma in Infants and Children: Technical Report provides a thorough review of the evidence-based literature around AHT. Additionally, the AAP's Technical Report describes the incidence of AHT, risk factors for AHT, and details the thorough clinical evaluation of a victim who presents with suspected AHT.The American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Shaken Baby Syndrome (also known as Shaken Impact Syndrome) is a serious form of abuse inflicted upon a child. It usually occurs when a parent or other caregiver shakes a baby out of anger or frustration, often because the baby will not stop crying.Canadian Joint Statement on Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma
Shaken Baby Syndrome is a collection of findings, all of which may not be present in any individual child with the condition. Injuries that characterize Shaken Baby Syndrome are intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding in and around the brain); retinal hemorrhage (bleeding in the retina of the eye); and fractures of the ribs and at the ends of the long bones.The American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology participated in the production of the AAP's Abusive Head Trauma in Infants and Children: Technical Report and have staff recognized as authors and liaisons on the final report.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Abusive head trauma (AHT), which includes shaken baby syndrome, is a preventable and severe form of physical child abuse that results in an injury to the brain of an infant or child. AHT is most common in children under age five, with children under one year of age at most risk. It is caused by violent shaking or blunt impact.The Royal College of Ophthalmologists and The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
A child suspected of abusive head injury is referred by paediatricians to an ophthalmologist for evaluation. The incidence of abusive head injury in children is highest in infancy and less frequently seen in children over 3 years of age. Retinal haemorrhages have a high positive predictive rate for abusive head injury.French Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
SBS is a type of inflicted, non-accidental or abusive head injury caused by shaking (either alone or combined with an impact). It mainly occurs in babies under the age of one. It is thought that 180 to 200 children per year are victims of this type of abuse in France, although this value is certainly an underestimate. Failure to diagnose SBS increases the likelihood of recurrence.American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Shaken baby syndrome (SBS), also known as non-accidental trauma (NAT) , is a diagnosis that may include a combination of findings including broken long bones such as arms or legs, skull fractures, brain bleeding and retinal hemorrhages. SBS occurs when a baby is shaken repeatedly, often by a frustrated caretaker in an effort to quiet an inconsolable baby. The eyes are examined in suspected cases of SBS as part of an overall examination of a child when abuse is suspected. Permanent damage to vision can also occur as a result of direct injury to the eye or the brain. Damage to the brain is the main reason for poor vision.
Research
-
Articles Everyone Should Know
These are some of the most relevant research articles about Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma that will aid a lay person wanting to learn more about this form of child abuse.
Recent Research
The list below contains the most recent research relevant to SBS/AHT published during the past few years. The list cites the article’s title, author(s), title of the periodical or book, publication date and a link to the abstract or full article (if available).
State Specific Legislation
-
Please click on a state to see the legislation related to shaken baby syndrome specific to that state.
FAQ
Attention on Prevention Podcast
-
Attention on Prevention podcast brings in guests to talk about the prevention of child and infant maltreatment as well as delve into other parenting issues. We'll bring in families of victims of abuse and victims themselves to discuss their stories, world experts in various medical fields to discuss current research and past experiences as well as other guests with legal and prevention backgrounds. Brought to you by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. You can find each month's episode here on our website or wherever you get your podcasts.
Donate