Funduscopic lesions associated with mortality in shaken baby syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: The shaken baby syndrome (SBS) has been defined as a syndrome of intraocular and intracranial hemorrhage in young children, thought to be caused by violent shaking inflicted by an adult. In many cases SBS is fatal as a result of intracranial injury. Intraocular findings include hemorrhage, which may be accompanied by characteristic retinal folds or retinoschisis lesions. This study was performed to determine whether acute ophthalmologic findings might predict a fatal outcome. Methods: A consecutive series of 10 patients meeting a strict definition of SBS was reviewed for ophthalmic findings at presentation and outcome. Results: Seven patients survived, and three died. Of the six funduscopic characteristics identified in these patients, two were significantly associated with a fatal outcome: circular perimacular retinal folds found in four patients ( p = 0.048) and peripheral retinoschisis lesions seen in three patients ( p = 0.012). Lack of visual response at initial examination was also significantly associated with a fatal outcome ( p = 0.033). Conclusions: Ophthalmic examination of children with suspected SBS is important for prognostic as well as diagnostic purposes. Circular perimacular retinal folds, peripheral retinoschisis lesions, and lack of visual response correlated with fatal neurologic trauma and may be useful in predicting severity of central nervous system injury in shaken baby syndrome.