Shaken baby syndrome in New Zealand, 2000-2002.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the epidemiology of subdural haemorrhage (SDH) in New Zealand infants.


METHODS
Prospective enrollment of all cases of infantile SDH from 2000 to 2002. Retrospective analysis of national discharge and death data for the same period.


RESULTS
Seventy-seven cases of infantile SDH were identified prospectively, and a further 49 cases retrospectively. Of these 126 cases, 92 resulted from non-birth-related trauma. Forty-eight of these were attributed to abuse and 28 to accidental injury. Sixteen cases were undetermined. The 'minimum' annual incidence of inflicted infantile SDH in New Zealand is 14.7 per 100,000 (95% confidence interval(CI) 10.8-19.4), and the 'maximum' 19.6 per 100,000 (95% CI 15.1-25.0). Among Maori, the 'minimum' is 32.5 per 100,000 (95% CI 21.4-47.3), and the 'maximum' 38.5 per 100,000 (95% CI 26.3-54.4).


CONCLUSIONS
The epidemiology of infantile subdural haemorrhage in New Zealand is similar to that described elsewhere. Non-accidental head injury is a significant child health issue in New Zealand, and the incidence is particularly high among Maori.
Kelly
Patrick
P
Te Puaruruhau (Child Abuse Assessment Unit), Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. patrickk@adhb.govt.nz
Farrant
Bridget
B
D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003644:Death Certificates; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D038642:Shaken Baby Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality