what could cause my daughters brain atrophy

i have 1 year old twin girls. melissa, the smaller of the two and first born, has brbain atrophy. on sept.10 she fell from a chair and hit her head on the floor. she was taken to the doctor on the dates of sept 11, and twice on the 12. the doctors did CT scans said she was fine sent us home. she never improved. she was admitted to the hospital on the 13th and on the 16th of sept. as transported to Riley children hospital in indianapolis. they did another CT scan and xray of her stomach and said she was fine and sent us home. then on sept. 23rd, she quit breathing and had a seizure. we rushed her to the hospital and they transported her back to Riley. they did test after test and told me she had bleeding in the front part of her brain and behind her eyes. my question is, could this be from the fall? i have read articles and medical books that say it could take anywhere from 48 hours to several weeks for the symptoms to show up. and also that bleeding may be hard to detect on a CT scan depending on how long after the accident it is done. if it is done the dy after, could it be that they detect it and it was there.? my concerd is that they are foster care because of all this. the doctors told me the only way to get the bleeding in her head is from shaken baby syndrom (syndrome). thank you for any information you can give me. i appreciate it very much.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Very sorry to hear about your daughter and the current social situation.  Although it's true that you can have bleeding in your brain several hours to days after a traumatic incident that's missed on an initial CT scan, it would be very unusual for it to be missed on several exams and CTs within a 2 week period - especially in a baby. The first thing we think of when we see a baby with blood in the brain and behind the eyes (in the retina) is shaken baby syndrome. ALso, there is a way to date the blood we see on the CT. Old blood looks different (not as bright) from an acute or new bleed.  If it looked bright on the CT, then this was unlikely to be due to the fall. As I have not personally reviewed the CTs or examined your daughter, I cannot accurately comment further on her case.  This is a very delicate situation and I wish you and your daughters the best of luck.

[Radika]

My daughter is 16 months old, she had flu symptoms for the last week.  However it was a normal occurrance, as it was very cold and we thought nothing of it.  However over a period of 2 weeks she had difficulties holding her balance and coordination.  She was immediately admitted into hospital, and blood tests, CT scan was done.  All results were normal,but the symptoms still persist.

We are extremely anxious, as the doctors are unable to give us clear answers.  She will have a lumbar puncture and MRI now.  Can anyone help me as to verify as to whether it may be an Inner Ear Infection, or a Brain Infection.  Is Viral Meningitus a possible cause.  My doctor will not comment as yet, but I need to know....what are the possible effects of what she is having...

I truly hope someone can help me.