Doubts over shaken baby syndrome

A blood disorder, not child abuse, caused bleeding on this boy's brain

Controversial research in the British Medical Journal, has exposed a split in the medical profession on how to diagnose shaken baby syndrome.

Some doctors are even questioning whether the syndrome exists at all.

The diagnosis has become increasingly contentious, at a time when expert evidence in child abuse cases is under scrutiny.

Breakfast talked to Dr Robert Minns, a consultant paediatric neurologist.

We heard from a campaigner, Rioch Edwards-Brown, who was herself wrongly accused of abusing her baby. She has set up a group, called The Five Percenters, which campaigns on this issue.

Rioch found herself under suspicion after her son had a fit

Shaken Baby Syndrome is a serious medical condition, which can lead to permanent disability and even death.

The brains of babies and young children are extremely delicate - and rough handling, such as violent shaking, can cause bleeding into the brain, resulting in brain damage.

Some believe Shaken Baby Syndrome may be the cause of 200 deaths a year.

It is diagnosed partly by looking for a particular type of bleeding behind the eyes.

But, bleeding on the brain can have other causes, too.

The BBC's Alison Holt talked to one family which was cleared of suspicion when it was discovered that their baby son had a blood clotting disorder, which had caused abnormal bleeding.