Citation

Reece RM. J. Aggression Maltreat. Trauma 2001; 5(1): 367-388.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J146v05n01_18

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Controversies invariably exist when hypotheses about biological phenomena cannot be studied directly (in clinical settings where information is readily available) or indirectly (with the creation of biological models approximating the organism in question). This creates missing links in the chain of logic and results in incomplete faith in some conclusions about these phenomena. Such is the case in shaken baby / shaken impact syndrome. Because abusive head trauma occurs without witnesses other than the perpetrator in most cases, we need to infer certain information to fill the gaps of validated facts. This leaves room for scientific and legal challenge. But there is increasing clinical and research data elucidating this condition. Although SBS cannot be studied in the bench laboratory tradition or even in the tradition of the hospital-based research scientist, there is a generation of new knowledge that is providing answers. These answers are being found in studies done by a wide range of scientists who have contact with abusive head trauma cases at some point in the process of care. Emergency department clinicians, intensive care specialists, hospital attending clinicians, forensic pediatricians, pediatric ophthalmologists, neurosurgeons, radiologists, forensic and neuro-pathologists all have contributed to this literature.