The Time Interval between Lethal Infant Shaking and Onset of Symptoms

Citation:

Nashelsky MB, Dix JD: The time interval between lethal infant shaking and onset of symptoms. American Journal of Forensic and Med Pathology 16(2):154-157, June 1995.

Abstract

Notes:

• This study attempted to identify support for the common medical opinion that infants lethally shaken will rapidly show severe symptoms.
• The literature contains very few cases with enough detail to determine the length of time between assault and onset of symptoms.
• Only three cases were identified in this study. In two, symptoms were immediate. In the other, there was a delay of four days before a seizure occurred. The child vomited several times in the interval.
• The authors conclude that there is little evidence to either support or refute the contention that serious symptoms are immediately apparent.

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