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Welcome to the Pennsylvania Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention and Awareness Program
"Saving babies' lives one family at a time."

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is one of the most severe forms of child abuse caused by the violent shaking of an infant with or without impact against an object. Approximately 1/3 of the victims die as a result of direct brain injuries. Thousands of victims who survive suffer permanent neurological damage such as blindness, developmental delays, mental retardation, seizures, physical disabilities, paralysis, and/or brain damage.

Shaken Baby Syndrome usually results from a parent or caregiver shaking a baby because the baby would not stop crying. Since crying is the primary reason that infants are shaken, it is important to inform parents, when their baby is born, how to deal with the frustrations of a crying baby as well as to equip them with effective parenting and coping strategies. Educated parents are then advocates for their child’s safety.  They are encouraged to share this information with others who may care for their child such as relatives, friends, and childcare providers.  More…

A Healthier World Awaits

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Caring for Families

Every year, Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital at Penn State Hershey Medical Center is a destination for hope and healing for thousands of children and their families. As the only Level I pediatric trauma center between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, we serve the most populous rural regions in the nation, with more than a million children in our referral area.

Transforming Lives

Planning is underway for a new state-of-the-art home for pediatric medicine at Penn State Hershey Medical Center which will capitalize on our current strengths and allow us to better meet the needs of children and families in central Pennsylvania. The new free-standing children’s hospital building will represent the leading edge in medical facility design, and embody our commitment to family-centered care.

 

Children's Miracle Network is an international non-profit organization that has affiliations with 170 children’s hospitals. Children’s Miracle Network at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital at Penn State Hershey serves the Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York region.

Children's Miracle Network's mission is to raise funds for children’s services and create community awareness of children’s issues. All money raised by CMN goes directly toward patient services, research, equipment, program services and educational resources at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital at Penn State Hershey.

The mission of The Four Diamonds Fund is to conquer childhood cancer by assisting children treated at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital and their families through superior care, comprehensive support, and innovative research.

Any family with a child being treated for pediatric cancer at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital in Hershey is automatically eligible for support.

The Fund has helped more than 2,000 families since 1972. Approximately 90 new families receive support each year.