Abusive head trauma and the triad: a critique on behalf of RCPCH of 'Traumatic shaking: the role of the triad in medical investigations of suspected traumatic shaking'. Issue 6 (6th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Debelle, Geoffrey David; Maguire, Sabine; Watts, Patrick; Nieto Hernandez, Rosa; Kemp, Alison Mary
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 103:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 606
• Page End: 610
• Publication Date: 2018-03-06
• Subjects: child abuse -- evidence based medicine -- forensic medicine; Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2017-313855
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : The Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services (SBU) has recently published what they purported to be a systematic review of the literature on 'isolated traumatic shaking' in infants, concluding that 'there is limited evidence that the so-called triad (encephalopathy, subdural haemorrhage, retinal haemorrhage) and therefore its components can be associated with traumatic shaking'. This flawed report, from a national body, demands a robust response. The conclusions of the original report have the potential to undermine medico-legal practice. We have conducted a critique of the methodology used in the SBU review and have found it to be flawed, to the extent that children's lives may be put at risk. Thus, we call on this review to be withdrawn or to be subjected to international scrutiny.