Giving new parents educational materials about infant crying and abusive head trauma (AHT) had no significant effect on pediatric AHT hospitalization rates, according to a Pennsylvania study that included the parents of more than 1.5 million infants born from 2003 to 2013. The study provided parents with brochures and videos, and had them sign a commitment statement confirming their participation in the project—74.1% signed the statement. The research found that:

• AHT rates increased among children between 0 and 23 months of age, with incidence rate ratios going from 24.1 to 26.6/100,000 children.
• There were no significant differences in trauma rates in the Pennsylvania study participants, when compared to those observed in 5 other states that didn’t have such educational opportunities.
• Study participants did, however, increase their knowledge of the subject, as evidence by self-reported informational gains that were retained for 7 months.