Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena

Abstract

The thesis analyzes the phenomenon of Abusive Head Trauma or more commonly known as Shaken Baby Syndrome, characterized by skull-brain lesions resulting from the forced and repeated shaking of the head and neck of the newborn. This event is still highly underestimated by the population, especially by parents. The main focus is to show how nurse plays a key role in preventive education and in the reduction of the incidence. The thesis is created through the analysis of the literature and the summary of information collected. At the beginning, the phenomenon is treated holistically, from etiology, epidemiology, risk factors and prognosis, highlighting the peculiar and anatomical aspects of the newborn. It is presented a nursing care plan about a case-report, with the aim to create a guideline, applicable to the young patient and his family. The nursing care is very difficult, there are several legal and ethical aspects that the healthcare professional should know to protect the patient. It’s clear that this problem is not always recognized by nurses because of an inappropriate training and a lack of validated instruments adopted at national level. From literature research, it emerged that, despite these obstacles, the best strategy is prevention. Correct and complete information should be provided to parents and families so that an unconscious and gracious action does not turn into a significant harm for the newborn. Therefore, it is indispensable and essential to invest in the training of the nurses who will consequently educate parents on this phenomenon. Keywords: Shaken Baby Syndrome, Prevention, Nurse, Parent, Newborn