RD153 - Shaken Baby Syndrome in Virginia

  • Published: 2013
  • Author: Department of Health
  • Enabling Authority: Letter Request from the Joint Commission on Health Care

Executive Summary:
House Joint Resolution 632 of the 2011 Session of the General Assembly directed the Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) to study the costs of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) and abusive head trauma (AHT) in Virginia and to identify best practices in reducing their incidence. As a result of their study, the JCHC identified several policy options, one of which requested that the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), collaborating with the Virginia Departments of Aging and Rehabilitative Services, Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Education, and Social Services and other public and private sector stakeholders further the work of the JCHC related to the 2011 House Joint Resolution 632 in addressing SBS and AHT as a cause of infant mortality. The request includes identifying best practices, statewide programs, surveillance data, and initiatives and interventions dedicated to addressing SBS as a cause of infant mortality. This document, which pulls information from the JCHC study on SBS as well as additional resources, provides an overview of background information on SBS and AHT. It also provides a summary of feedback and recommendations from community leaders regarding ways of addressing SBS as a cause of infant mortality.