Misinformation Alert! Setting the Record Straight on Shaken Baby Syndrome
Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS), a form of Abusive Head Trauma (AHT), is a serious and complex medical diagnosis, but lately it has been clouded by misinformation. Media stories, podcasts, and even documentaries have amplified misleading narratives that question long-standing science and threaten to undermine child protection efforts.
Let’s take a closer look at the facts behind the myths.
Myth #1: The medical community is divided on SBS/AHT.
One misleading narrative is that there has been a recent “shift” in the medical consensus regarding SBS/AHT. This assertion is false. A vast majority of medical professionals continue to recognize SBS/AHT as a valid diagnosis. In one study, 88% of physicians considered SBS valid and 93% validated AHT (Narang et al., 2016).
Rather than shifting away from SBS/AHT as a valid diagnosis, reputable consensus shows a clear display of support. A coalition of respected organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, Society for Pediatric Radiology, European Society of Paediatric Radiology, American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, and several international pediatric associations has issued a joint statement reaffirming that there is no medical controversy regarding the existence of SBS/AHT (Choudhary et al., 2018).
The bottom line is the medical consensus is strong and clear.
Read more:
- Acceptance of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma as medical diagnoses
- Consensus statement on Abusive Head Trauma in infants and young children
Myth #2: SBS/AHT is based on outdated or ‘junk’ science.
This claim is both inaccurate and dangerous. The term “junk science” has increasingly appeared in legal discussions surrounding SBS/AHT, suggesting that the diagnosis lacks scientific validity. This is inaccurate. Our understanding of shaken baby syndrome is supported by a robust and continually updated body of scientific and clinical research.
This research is clearly summarized in the new 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Abusive Head Trauma in Infants and Children: Technical Report, which reaffirms SBS/AHT as an evidence-based medical diagnosis. An SBS/AHT diagnosis is multidisciplinary. These experts evaluate clinical findings alongside the child’s medical history, reported injury circumstances, and investigative findings. The report also lists the severe outcomes associated with shaking injuries, including lifelong disabilities and death.
Another misconception is the science behind SBS/AHT has recently changed. Some critics claim doctors once relied only on the “triad” of finding – retinal hemorrhages, subdural hematoma, and encephalopathy. In reality modern diagnosis is far more comprehensive. It involves a multidisciplinary team often including child abuse pediatricians, ophthalmologists, neurologists, and radiologists who evaluate all medical findings alongside the child’s history, reported circumstances, and investigative evidence. An SBS/AHT diagnosis is the result of a rigorous and comprehensive assessment, not a single test or opinion.
Read more:
Myth #3: “Wrongful convictions prove SBS/AHT isn’t real.”
Some organizations and legal professionals cite exonerations in SBS/AHT cases as evidence of the diagnosis’ invalidity, however, these claims misrepresent the data. A 2021 study found that only 3% of SBS/AHT convictions were overturned, and just 1% of cases were overturned based on medical evidence (Narang et al., 2021).
Read more:
- Overturned abusive head trauma and shaken baby syndrome convictions in the United States: Prevalence, legal basis, and medical evidence
- A Daubert analysis of Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome
Why This Matters
Misinformation spreads quickly, but facts save lives! Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma is a well-established, evidence-based diagnosis recognized by the vast majority of medical experts and U.S. courts.
When we focus on education, awareness, and prevention, we protect children and ensure that accurate, science-based information continues to guide parents, caregivers, and professionals everywhere.
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