Apparent life-threatening events (ALTEs) and the role of home monitors.

摘要

A previously healthy 1-month-old boy who was born at term is brought to the emergency department by ambulance. His mother reports that he stopped breathing for 20 seconds and appeared, limp and blue around his lips. Once she picked him up, he began to cry and breathe normally. On physical examination, the baby is well-perfused and in no apparent distress. The infant is admitted for observation and evaluation for an apparent life-threatening event (ALTE). The evaluation includes a complete blood count, urine culture, computed tomography scan of the head, cardiorespiratory monitoring, and pH probe. The pH probe results demonstrate significant gastroesophageal reflux; other findings are unremarkable. The child has no additional episodes after 48 hours in the hospital. After his mother is given information for basic life support courses and educated on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) prevention, the child is discharged on antireflux medications. He has no more concerning episodes.