Abusive head injury fatalities were identified in Arizona’s Child Fatality Review annual reports. Non-fatal hospitalizations and emergency department visits due to abusive head injuries (shaken infant or shaken impact syndrome) were identified using methods from a study conducted in 2005. Infants and children under the age of two years with a code for shaken infant syndrome in any diagnostic fields were included. Additionally, cases with a diagnostic code for skull fracture or intracranial injury, retinal hemorrhage, or intracranial hemorrhage with an external cause of injury code for known or suspected homicide/assault were included.

This report provides information relative to reports of child abuse and neglect, investigations, shelter and receiving home services, foster homes, length of care, and adoptions. We continue to work diligently to improve the quality of services for children and their families. Compiling this report provides us another opportunity to review our work and consider new ways to improve.