Description:
Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a serious form of child maltreatment that is the
primary cause of fatal head injuries in children younger than 24 months and is the cause for over
50% of severe or fatal traumatic brain injury incidences. These injuries can be caused by impact,
shaking, or the combination of shaking and impact. These multi-factorial injuries can cause
intracranial and spinal damage, retinal hemorrhages, and fractures of ribs and other bones. The
age and severity of injuries will be used to assess the diagnosis of AHT. When AHT occurs, it is
often tied to the behavior from a parent or caregiver as a reaction to a crying infant. Conceptual
models and nursing theories have helped nurses use years of accumulated nursing knowledge to
develop and put evidence into practice. The stress theory of Lazarus and Folkman highlights the
associations among individual characteristics, environment, a stressful event, and coping
(Lazarus, 2000). Identification of these triggers is important to AHT prevention because if these
behaviors precipitate abuse then interventions can be utilized (Lazarus, 2000). The reaction to
the behaviors that causes AHT is avoidable and an educational prevention program can help
reduce the incidence and cost with AHT. The purpose of this review is to assess previous
preventive educational programs that focus on caregivers and healthcare professionals in
reducing the incidence of AHT in children 24 months or younger and possible barriers to
healthcare professionals and caregivers.