Apparent life-threatening events: neurological correlates and the mandatory work-up

J Child Neurol. 2008 Nov;23(11):1305-7. doi: 10.1177/0883073808318204. Epub 2008 Jul 21.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of neurological causes for apparent life-threatening events in infants and assess the neurological work-up mandatory to diagnose such diagnosis, hypothesizing that acute neurological disorders constitute the most common etiology for such an acute event. A retrospective chart review allocated 93 infants fulfilling the criteria of the National Institutes of Health presenting at 1 week to 8 months with apnea, color changes, gagging, unresponsiveness, and alterations of body tone. An underlying neurological etiology was detected in 18 (19%), whereby 15 had seizures and 3 had central apnea. Only one electroencephalography demonstrated epileptic discharges, and brain imaging was intact. Thus, it has been concluded that neurological impairment, mainly that of seizures inducing an apparent life-threatening event, are relatively uncommon. As such, recommendations are that history taking and repeat physical examination still remain the major diagnostic tools before resorting to extensive laboratory studies.

MeSH terms

  • Apnea / diagnosis*
  • Apnea / etiology*
  • Apnea / therapy
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases
  • Male
  • Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Nervous System Diseases / epidemiology
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology*
  • Physical Examination / methods
  • Physical Examination / standards*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sudden Infant Death / diagnosis
  • Sudden Infant Death / etiology
  • Sudden Infant Death / prevention & control