What can result from shaking a baby or young child?

Shaking a baby or young child can cause severe physical harm due to the fragility of their developing brains and bodies. This act, often referred to as Shaken Baby Syndrome, can lead to a range of serious injuries including brain bleeding, bruising, or even fatality. The forceful shaking can cause the brain to move back and forth within the skull, which can result in significant neurological damage, as well as damage to the eyes and spine.

The repercussions of such physical abuse are critical and can have lifelong effects on a child's health and development. It's important to understand that while emotional distress and developmental delays may also arise from abuse or neglect over time, the immediate and direct consequences of shaking are often physical injuries that can be severe or lethal. Thus, the emphasis on physical abuse leading to injury or death accurately reflects the grave risks associated with this harmful behavior.