Biomechanical analysis has demonstrated that shaking alone cannot cause the constellation of intracranial symptoms that defines shaken baby syndrome

Building on earlier work that reached the same conclusions, Dr Lloyd conducted a series of extensive biomechanical evaluations, comparing the kinematics of infant shaking with the kinematics of various pediatric activities of daily living.

He gathered and analyzed data from test scenarios that included adults shaking a biofidelic infant mannequin, as well as his own 7-month-old son during enthusiastic play. Dr. Lloyd found that shaking by a full-strength generated only slighter higher angular acceleration in the neck and head of the dummy as Dr. Lloyd’s son generated on his own in the Jumparoo.

To view the complete report of this study, click the following link: Biomechanical Evaluation of Head Kinematics during Infant Shaking vs Pediatric Activities of Daily Living

A number of child-abuse experts challenge studies casting doubt on SBS theory, but the biomechanical evidence continues to accumulate. Dr. Lloyd’s own explorations of the issues have only confirmed the conclusions of earlier researchers, including, for example his study on muscular exertion associated with shaking and his analysis of the biomechanics of retinal hemorrhages.

Background:

Dr. Lloyd began researching the biomechanics of head injury more than 10 years ago with a study of patient falls from bed on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The results of that research have been presented at national conferences and published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing.

This work led to collaborations with academic and industry partners in a series of studies to evaluate materials for a new generation of medical helmets designed to reduce injuries in vulnerable populations, including elderly persons and veterans with polytrauma and traumatic brain injury.

Dr. Lloyd is currently involved in several federally-funded research studies to investigate prevention of fall-related head trauma, with $5M in funding support.

Within the scope of these projects, Dr. Lloyd has designed and validated a number of state-of-the-art data-collection instruments that allow him to assess the risk of injury due to linear and angular stressors in controlled, experimental fall scenarios.

Because of his experience in brain trauma research and his technical resources, Dr. Lloyd was asked some years ago to explore the biomechanics of shaken baby syndrome, with results that drew him into the ongoing debate. He has since consulted on several cases of alleged abusive head injury / shaken baby syndrome.