USC School of Medicine professor to present keynote on prevention of SBS at Texas conference

Feb 23 2011

On February 28th, Harvey Karp, MD, FAAP, Assistant Professor at the USC School of Medicine, will present the keynote address on the prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome at the 25th Annual Conference of Prevent Child Abuse Texas, in Dallas.

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is the #1 cause of child abuse deaths with 1300 babies severely shaken every year.

• Average Age - 4 Months
• Main Trigger - Infant Crying
• Brain Damage - 80%
• Health and other Costs - Over $1 Billion/Year

And research suggests the actual number of shaken babies is 100 times more.

Dr. Karp, creator of The Happiest Baby on the Block, will discuss his discovery of the Calming Reflex (a relative off-switch for crying and on-switch for sleep) and how this can improve parent confidence, increase sleep and may help prevent this terrible abuse.

According to James Hmurovich, President/CEO, Prevent Child Abuse America, "Dr. Karp's insights are a key to reducing the frustration that can lead to shaking."

Thousands of Happiest Baby educators teach programs for SBS prevention, including Alabama's Child Death Review Board, Texas' Council of Child Welfare Boards, and Massachusetts' SBS Prevention Center.

Many state and county health departments teach The Happiest Baby to help reduce other serious complications of infant crying and parental exhaustion including depression, breastfeeding failure, and SIDS/suffocation. "More than anything," Karp says, "parents want to comfort their babies. And when they succeed, their love grows and grows."

In addition to his keynote presentation at the PCA Conference, Dr. Karp will present a special luncheon lecture on his book/DVD, The Happiest Toddler on the Block, with tips on encouraging cooperation and quickly reducing tantrums in children 9 months-5 years.

SOURCE The Happiest Baby, Inc.