At least three babies and toddlers are being admitted to hospital each week with deliberately caused head injuries, the NSPCC says. Figures from the charity show that of 5,871 children taken to hospital with deliberate injuries last year, 318 were aged two or under and 177 of those had head injuries.
Spotting the injuries early is crucial, according to experts. Head injuries are the most serious form of physical abuse and are the leading cause of death and disability among children who have been abused. The NSPCC says that up to 45% of children who survive head or spinal injuries are left with lifelong disabilities such as cerebral palsy, visual problems, epilepsy, and learning and behavioural problems.
"Babies and toddlers are an extremely vulnerable group; they are fragile and need to be handled with care," said Enid Hendry, the NSPCC's director of training and consultancy. "Shaking and throwing a baby can cause irreparable harm to a child. If their injuries are not picked up, they won't get the immediate treatment which could save their life."
The charity is concerned that many head injuries - including bruises, burns, fractures of the skull and facial bones, and brain damage - may be going undetected and is to issue new guidance to health professionals, social workers and police.
"Signs like swelling of the lower back or bruising to the head or neck are visible injuries," said Dr Alison Kemp, a paediatrician who helped to draw up the new guidance. "In many cases, however, the spinal or head injury may not be immediately apparent."
The charity's decision to issue new guidance follows the death of Baby Peter, whose injuries went unnoticed by medical staff during the final 10 months of his life. A postmortem examination revealed a broken back, broken ribs and severe head injuries.
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