A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that there is an association between occult spinal injury and abusive head trauma (previously known as shaken baby syndrome). Consideration needs to be given to the nature of these injuries, the possible causal mechanisms and what investigations should be undertaken to delineate the full extent of spinal involvement in infants with suspected abusive head trauma. This association has the potential to influence our understanding of the biomechanics and subsequent neuropathology associated with abusive head trauma.