A Scotland County prevention team has announced a campaign to help new parents with crying infants.

The public awareness campaign is being carried out by Scotland County Child Fatality Prevention Team/Community Child Protection Team sub-committee.

will encompass an educational program that seeks to educate and increase awareness on the Period of PURPLE Crying and Shaken Baby Syndrome now referred to as Abusive Head Trauma.

Team members say for some parents who have an inconsolable, crying infant, the experience can become very stressful, overwhelming, and even dangerous. The local sub-committee, along with the North Carolina Center for Child and Family Health, are choosing to launch their awareness campaigns this fall.

The “Period of PURPLE Crying” is an acronym used to describe an increased crying peak for some infants around two weeks of age, this period of increased crying peaks around 2-3 months of age, and can begin to decrease or decline around 4 -5 months of age. The acronym PURPLE describes the symptoms and characteristics of an infant experiencing this increased period of crying, also referred to as colic.

P=Peaks

U=Unexpected

R=Resists Soothing

P=Pain-like face

L=Long lasting

E= Evening—when the crying usually “clusters”

The danger of Abusive Head Trauma occurs when an infant cries, often shrill, and appears to be in pain. The caregiver, already tired, becomes more frustrated when despite all exhaustive efforts, the infant continues to cry. The crying usually peaks in the evening and can be long lasting thus exacerbating the stressed state of the caregiver. As a result, the caregiver may pick the infant up and shake the infant, resulting in injury.

Providing awareness and education enables the public, parents, and caregivers to recognize the signs and symptoms and help all caregivers prevent injury to an infant. Abusive Head Trauma can be a result of PURPLE crying and is perhaps the most avoidable cause of infant injury or mortality. AHT occurs when a frustrated caregiver can not console the infant, often despite exhaustive measures to sooth & calm the infant. The caregiver may “shake” the infant causing severe injury, and in some cases, death. Twenty percent of all AHT cases are fatal within the first few days of injury and the majority of surviving infants are left with handicaps ranging from learning disorders to developmental retardation, blindness and paralysis. Severe cases can result in a vegetative state.

What can caregivers do?

Although babies are often inconsolable, there are tips available that caregivers can try.

1) Hold your baby close; provide skin to skin contact.

2) Swaddle the baby with a soft blanket.

3) Run the vacuum cleaner.

4) Walk, talk, or sing to your baby.

5) Give your baby a warm bath.

6) Check to see if your baby is hungry, tired, or needs to be changed.

7) Take the baby for a car ride

If these measures do not work, leave the infant for 5-10 minute intervals. Make sure the infant is safe in a crib, bassinet, or playpen and walk into another room or outside for fresh air. It is important that the infant is checked on frequently and that all basic needs, along with a safe secure environment, are in place before walking away. Continue to check the infant at frequent intervals. Parents that are still frustrated and fear they may lose control or simply need a break, should call a trusted family member, friend or person to step in. It is crucial that caregivers make sure anyone they turn to for help will be able to maintain composure and a safe environment for their baby.

The project “Keeping Babies Safe in North Carolina”, which has received funding until the year 2012, has a goal to reduce Abusive Head Trauma by 50%. The components of the project include:

1) All North Carolina hospitals, that have child birthing facilities, will provide

parents an educational DVD and booklet. This is referred to as the “first dose” of

the educational component. The Women’s Services Unit at Scotland Memorial

Hospital currently provides information along with a “Period of PURPLE

Crying®” DVD to all parents of newborns before they leave the hospital.

2) Caregivers will receive the “second dose” at sick and well baby checks during the

first months of infancy. This initiative began in May of 2009. The CFPT/CCPT

sub-committee assembled packets of information to distribute to local providers

in order to assist them with these educational needs.

3) The “third dose” is a statewide media campaign during the fall of 2009.

Posters are displayed and informational hand-outs are utilized by staff at the Scotland County Health Department and the Department of Social Services. Packets of information are also being distributed to local Day Care Centers, Domestic Violence shelter, and area Mental Health providers. City and County Law Enforcement officers were provided informational posters. Scotland County School Nurses and Social Workers received information on both “Period of PURPLE Crying and Abusive Head Trauma during one of their monthly meetings.

Caregivers should consult with the infant’s medical provider to be sure there is not a medical problem or physical issue related to the crying episodes. Although this phase in the infants’ development may seem to last forever and appear as though it will never end, caregivers should remember that the period usually occurs during the first few months of the infant’s life and does come to an end.

For more information on the “Period of PURPLE Crying”:

The CFPT/CCPT sub-committee has educational materials available through the Scotland County Health Department.

The Center for Child and Family Health at HYPERLINK "http://www.ccfhnc.org/" www.ccfhnc.org

The website HYPERLINK "http://www.dontshake.org/" www.dontshake.org also provides information on the educational program.