In Shaken Baby Syndrome, which radiographic finding may support the diagnosis?

• A. Old fractures on X-ray
• B. No abnormal imaging
• C. New skull fracture only
• D. Only soft tissue swelling

Answer: (A)

In shaken baby syndrome, clues of multiple injuries over time are highly informative. Old fractures visible on X-ray indicate prior trauma that has already begun to heal, creating a pattern of injuries at different stages. This pattern strongly supports abusive head trauma because it points to repeated episodes rather than a single incident. Other findings like no abnormal imaging, a single new skull fracture, or just soft tissue swelling are less specific and don’t convey the same history of repeated injury. So, finding old fractures on X-ray is the radiographic sign that best supports the diagnosis.