RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - A new $7 million education project in North Carolina is trying to reduce the number of deaths and traumatic injuries that can occur when frustrated caregivers shake crying babies.
The shaken baby prevention project announced Tuesday will be available in 90 hospitals statewide to provide videos, booklets and other information to parents and baby sitters.
Hospitals and health care providers said they hope to educate parents about how to respond to infant crying and raise awareness.
They said shaking an infant can lead to brain trauma, long-term health problems such as mental retardation or blindness, and even death.
University of North Carolina medical school professor Doctor Desmond Runyan said a recent survey found that about 40 children under age 2 are admitted to a hospital intensive care unit each year after being shaken.
About 10 of those children die, while most others suffer serious injuries.
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