Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:1086.2 – Legislative findings; declaration
Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:1086.2
- Postneonatal death: means the death of a child aged twenty-eight days to three hundred sixty-four days. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:1086.1
- Shaken baby syndrome: means the condition known also as abusive head trauma which is characterized by injuries resulting from violent shaking or shaking and impacting of the head of an infant or small child. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:1086.1
- Sudden unexpected infant death: means the death of an infant of less than one year of age, the cause of which is not immediately obvious before investigation, that occurs suddenly and unexpectedly. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:1086.1
A. With respect to shaken baby syndrome, the legislature finds that this condition occurs when an infant or child is violently shaken as part of a pattern of abuse, or because an adult has momentarily succumbed to the frustration of responding to a crying infant or child. The legislature further finds that the effects of shaken baby syndrome can include brain swelling and damage, subdural hemorrhage, intellectual disability, and death.
B. With respect to sudden infant death syndrome, which is a form of sudden unexpected infant death, the legislature finds all of the following:
(1) Sudden infant death syndrome was the leading cause of postneonatal death in each year of the most recent ten-year period for which complete child mortality data is available (2002 through 2012).
(2) Even after a thorough investigation, it is difficult to distinguish sudden infant death syndrome from other sleep-related infant deaths such as from overlay or suffocation in soft bedding.
(3) Parents and caregivers can take simple steps to reduce the risk of sudden unexpected infant deaths.
C. The legislature hereby declares that prevention of shaken baby syndrome and prevention of sudden unexpected infant death are major public health priorities of this state.
Acts 2016, No. 506, §1.