Brain haemorrhage in babies may not indicate violent abuse

In this news article by Owen Dyer (22 March, p 616), we said that Dr Jennian Geddes of the Royal London Hospital had said that brain stem damage in babies thought to have died from “shaken baby syndrome” could be due to “a range of aetiologies, including common perinatal problems, accidental falls, infection.” This was incorrect. We should have said that Dr Geddes said this type of injury could be either accidental or inflicted. Dr Geddes would like to make it clear that she does not consider that this damage could be the result of common perinatal problems or infection.