[Two children with cerebral and retinal hemorrhages: do not diagnose shaken baby syndrome too rapidly]

Abstract

We report on 2 cases associating retinal (RH) and cerebral hemorrhages (CH), which first suggested the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome (SBS). After an etiologic search, the diagnosis was corrected: the first case was a late hemorrhagic disease of the newborn and the second case hemophilia A. RH is a major feature of SBS, although not pathognomonic. There is no specific RH of SBS but they usually affect the posterior retinal pole. Typically, RHs of SBS are present in both eyes, although unilateral RHs do not exclude the diagnosis of SBS. The relationship between RH and CH has been reported in SBS but also in other diseases. Thus, one must search for hemostasis abnormalities, even though the clinical presentation suggests SBS. Ignoring SBS as well as coming to the conclusion of SBS too quickly should be avoided. Diagnostic difficulties may be related to the number of physicians involved and their interpretation of the facts. These 2 cases underline the need for working as a team that includes hematologists able to interpret coagulation parameters.