Differential Diagnosis for Shaking Baby Episodes
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Abusive Head Trauma (AHT): This is the most likely diagnosis, as shaking baby episodes are a common presentation of AHT, which is a form of child abuse that can cause severe head injuries.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Seizure Disorder: A seizure disorder, such as epilepsy, can cause shaking or convulsions in infants, which may be mistaken for shaking baby episodes.
- Infection: Infections such as meningitis or sepsis can cause seizures, fever, and irritability, which may be misinterpreted as shaking baby episodes.
- Metabolic Disorders: Certain metabolic disorders, such as hypoglycemia or hyperammonemia, can cause seizures, tremors, or other symptoms that may be mistaken for shaking baby episodes.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Intracranial Hemorrhage: An intracranial hemorrhage, which can be caused by trauma, vascular malformations, or other conditions, is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate attention.
- Meningitis: Meningitis is a serious infection that can cause seizures, fever, and other symptoms, and requires prompt treatment to prevent long-term damage or death.
- Cardiac Arrhythmias: Certain cardiac arrhythmias, such as long QT syndrome, can cause seizures or sudden death, and require immediate medical attention.
Rare Diagnoses
- Benign Familial Infantile Seizures: This is a rare genetic disorder that causes seizures in infants, which may be mistaken for shaking baby episodes.
- Glutaric Aciduria Type 1: This is a rare metabolic disorder that can cause seizures, tremors, and other symptoms, which may be misinterpreted as shaking baby episodes.
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A subarachnoid hemorrhage, which can be caused by trauma or vascular malformations, is a rare but life-threatening condition that requires immediate attention.