What is usually the cause of death in cases of shaken baby syndrome?

In cases of shaken baby syndrome, bleeding in the brain is often the primary cause of death. This condition typically results from violent shaking, which can lead to a combination of traumatic brain injury and a specific pattern of bleeding. The force of the shaking can cause the brain to move back and forth within the skull, leading to acceleration-deceleration injuries. These injuries can tear blood vessels and cause subdural hematomas or intracranial hemorrhages, which are significant contributors to the mortality associated with shaken baby syndrome.

Understanding this pathophysiology is crucial for recognizing the severe consequences of such trauma in infants, as their developing brains are particularly vulnerable. While head trauma itself encompasses a range of injuries beyond just bleeding, it is the bleeding within the brain that is most directly linked to a fatal outcome in these cases.