Nexus - 0706 - New Times Magazine-pages

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Shaken Baby Syndrome or Adverse Vaccine Event? Continued from page 39 * an ophthalmic examination; claim they did not commit. «a skeletal survev supplemented with a Juries and lawvers relv heavilv on what * an ophthalmic examination; «a skeletal survey supplemented with a bone scan or a skeletal survey, repeated at around 10 days; * a coagulation screen; *a computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. However, according to Dr Mark Donohoe: "There is an urgent need for properly controlled, prospective trials into SBS, using a variety of controls. Until such studies are complete, published and replicated, the current opinion on the link between SDH/RH and SBS cannot be sustained." claim they did not commit. Juries and lawyers rely heavily on what medical experts tell them. If medical experts are guilty of grossly misleading a court of law by providing skewed evidence from inadequate medical research on SBS, then innocent individuals are suffering unnecessarily. Let us hope that the SBS medical experts comprehend that they are not infallible and realise the untold human tragedy that can occur if they are wrong. oo homogeneity in trials and identification of the unique features of SBS as opposed to other abuse, other medical conditions and normals. + Lack of useful and specific laboratory or other markers proven to identify SBS. * Poor definition and quantification of the social and family risk factors to provide guidance on likelihood of abuse for a given set of circumstances. * There is a strong need for a checklist or other diagnostic or management tool to assess cases and to quantify index of suspi- cion of shaking." A paper in the British Medical Journal concluded:'* "Subdural haemorrhage is common in infancy and carries a poor prognosis; three quarters of such infants die or have pro- found disability. Most cases are due to child abuse, but in a few the cause is unknown." [Author's emphasis added.] The authors of the paper believe that the clinical investigation of such children should include: ¢ a full, multidisciplinary, social assessment; Glossary The key terms in the identification of SBS are alleged to be:"” = Cerebral oedema: fluid collecting in the brain, causing tissue to swell. + Haematoma: a localised accumulation of blood in tissues as a result of haemorrhaging. + Haemorrhage: a condition of bleeding, usually severe. Retinal haemorrhage (RH): bleeding of the retina, a key structure in vision located at the back of the eye. + Subdural Haematoma (SDH): a localised accumulation of blood, sometimes mixed with spinal fluid, in the space of the brain beneath the membrane covering called the dura matter. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LEGAL AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONS The correct diagnosis of Shaken Baby Syndrome is a problem for those being accused of this syndrome around the world. The cases mentioned are only a small num- ber that have occurred over the past few years. It is hard to imagine the distress, confu- sion and despair suffered by the accused and their families, especially those who have been jailed for life for a crime they NEXUS - 81 Continued on page 82 OCTOBER — NOVEMBER 2000