Pediatric abusive head trauma, also known as shaken baby syndrome, is a devastating form of child abuse. This happens when a young child is violently shaken. The repeated back-and-forth movements cause the child's brain to bounce around in the skull, leading to bruising and swelling. This intentionally inflicted injury causes trauma to the head and neck region, including cranial, brain, and spinal injuries. This occurs in infants and young children because the muscles in the neck area are not strong enough to withstand the shaking force that occurs. Some make a full recovery; others are left with debilitating disabilities and, in some cases, death occurs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012) states that of all forms of child maltreatment, traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability and is the most preventable. Pediatric abusive head injuries result in higher mortality and morbidity than any other form of physical abuse. Early recognition and accurate diagnosis are essential for children presenting with this traumatic injury. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012), the incidence of violent head injuries in children varies, but most range between 20 and 30 cases per 100,000 children under 1 year of age. We see that the incidence rate decreases with the age of the child. The incidence is considerably higher in children 1 year and younger. The purpose of this article is to discuss pediatric abusive head injuries, their physical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment, outcomes and prognosis, and prevention and education. Physical manifestations. Variable physical manifestations are present in abusive head trauma. There are usually many defining characteristics. Immediately, middle of paper......the Uate Utah Shaken Baby Prevention Program. Academic Pediatrics, 10(6), 389-394. doi:10.1016/j.acap.2010.08.005 Meskauskas, L., Beaton, K., & Meservey, M. (2009). Preventing shaken baby syndrome: a multidisciplinary response to six tragedies. Nursing for Women's Health, 13(4),325-330. doi:10.1111/j.1751-486X.2009.01442.xMraz, M. (2009). Physical manifestations of shaken baby syndrome. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 5(1), 26-30. doi:10.1111/j.1939-3938.2009.01027.xParks, S., Annest, J., Hill, H., and Karch, D. (2012). Abusive head trauma in children: recommended definitions for public health surveillance and research. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Stoll, B. and Anderson, J.K. (2013). Prevention of abusive head injuries: a review of the literature. Pediatric Nursing, 39(6), 300-308.