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Brief Resolved Unexplained Event (Apparent Life-Threatening Event), Pediatric

Craig C. DeWolfe, MD, MEd Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Brief resolved unexplained event (BRUE) is a term suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to replace the term apparent life-threatening event (ALTE).

  • BRUE is a resolved ...

DIAGNOSIS

ALERT

The practitioner should attempt to identify key symptoms and persisting physical exam findings to focus the workup and pursue an underlying diagnosis.

 

HISTORY

A description of the event ...

TREATMENT

ADMISSION, INPATIENT, AND NURSING CONSIDERATIONS

Hospital admission is not necessary in the patient with a “lower risk” BRUE. In patients with a “higher risk” BRUE, a period of observation on...

ONGOING CARE

  • All patients should be offered the following anticipatory guidance: safe sleep practices and other SIDS prevention techniques

  • CPR overview and resources

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Return to m...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • DeWolfe CC. Apparent life-threatening event: a review. Pediatr Clin North Am.  2005;52(4):1127–1146. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • National Institutes of Health Consensus Deve...

CODES

ICD9

  • 799.82 Apparent life threatening event in infant

  • 770.82 Other apnea of newborn

  • 770.83 Cyanotic attacks of newborn

  • 784.99 Other symptoms involving head and neck

ICD10

  • R68.13 Apparent life threaten...

FAQ

  • Q: How should patients with “higher risk” BRUE be managed?

  • A: No testing recommendations are offered, although indiscriminate testing is discouraged. Admission for a brief period of cardiorespirato...

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