Only three cases of shaken baby syndrome convictions should be reconsidered, the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith, told the Lords today.

Lord Goldsmith was announcing the results of a review of 88 cases where parents were jailed for killing their children after shaking them. It had been predicted that the review would lead to scores of convictions being overturned.

But Lord Goldsmith concluded that the vast majority of convictions were not based on flawed medical evidence. Only three of the cases will be referred to the Criminal Cases Review Commission and then to the Court of Appeal.

One involves a man who was sentenced to life for of murdering a baby five years ago. The other two are convictions for manslaughter - one of a man who was given three years in 2001, and a woman was sentenced to seven years in 1994.

Lord Goldsmith concluded that the other 85 cases "did not give cause for concern". But he stressed that this should not prevent appeals against those convictions.

Lord Goldsmith began the review of shaken baby convictions, after a larger review into infant deaths, prompted by the wrongful convictions of mothers in high-profile cases involving cot deaths.

Those convictions were based in part on the now-discredited evidence of the paediatrician Professor Sir Roy Meadow, who has since been struck off the medical register.

Lord Goldsmith also announced new guidance for expert witnesses in such cases. It sets out tougher requirements for experts to stick to their own specialist area.

Lord Goldsmith said: "So-called 'shaken-baby syndrome' is a difficult and sensitive issue for all involved and has led to a growing medical controversy about the identification of the causes of these injuries."

He added: "While I believe, as a result of careful review, the vast majority of shaken baby syndrome convictions do not give rise to concern, it remains open to anyone with such a conviction to seek leave to appeal."

On the new guidance for expert witnesses he said: "I believe these clear and thorough guidelines will assist in bringing about greater confidence in the criminal justice system in handling such difficult cases."