New Parent Education Program Aims to Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome

As part of a new child abuse prevention program, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is recruiting volunteers to teach parents of newborns how to protect their children from shaken baby syndrome, one of the most severe forms of child abuse. “The aim is to teach parents of newborns, before they leave the hospital, about the dangers of shaking their babies and to give them healthy ways to respond to their infant’s crying and other stresses of being a parent,” said Dr. Mia Amaya, assistant professor of pediatrics at UAB.

December 17, 2003

BIRMINGHAM, AL — As part of a new child abuse prevention program, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is recruiting volunteers to teach parents of newborns how to protect their children from shaken baby syndrome, one of the most severe forms of child abuse. “The aim is to teach parents of newborns, before they leave the hospital, about the dangers of shaking their babies and to give them healthy ways to respond to their infant’s crying and other stresses of being a parent,” said Dr. Mia Amaya, assistant professor of pediatrics at UAB.

Shaken baby syndrome can cause brain trauma resulting from violent shaking and occurs most often in infants ages 2 years old and younger. “Forcibly shaking a baby can cause severe head injuries, even if the baby’s head doesn’t hit anything,” Amaya said. “And the consequences are devastating. Babies may suffer permanent brain damage or die.”

The program relies on trained volunteers to help parents of newborns build parenting skills, develop techniques for managing stress and anger, and learn about shaken baby syndrome before they leave the hospital. “Volunteers will show parents a video, review printed materials with them and ask them to sign a statement that they completed the training,” Amaya said. “Parents also will be given a toll-free number to call if they have questions or are unable to console their child.”

Parents in the hospital may request follow-up contact. “If so, volunteers will call to see how the family is doing, if parents are using the coping techniques they learned, and if so, if the techniques are helpful,” Amaya said. The Birmingham Exchange Club Family Skills Center is partnering with UAB to provide free parenting support and education for families who request additional help.

At least 20 volunteers are needed for the program. “We’d like for them to volunteer for at least six months,” Amaya said. “Volunteers will provide parent coaching primarily during the day. For best results, we need many volunteers who speak both English and Spanish, and would like to have men and women coaches to talk to the mothers and fathers of the newborns.”

The one-year pilot program is funded by the Children’s Trust Fund of Alabama, the Alabama Child Fatality Review System, and Healthy Start, a federally funded program administered by the Jefferson County Department of Health. “After the first of the year, we will begin talking with parents of all babies born at UAB and Cooper Green hospitals,” Amaya said. “Following the pilot program, our goal is to expand the program to make it available throughout the state.”

For more information or to volunteer contact Shari Friedman with UAB’s Department of Pediatrics at (205) 939-6856 or sfriedman@peds.uab.edu.