ABSTRACT
An apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) is the term used to describe a clinical
presentation that involves a sudden, unexpected change in an infant’s behavior
that is frightening to parents or caregivers but does not lead to death or persistent
collapse. Thus, an ALTE is an episode with a beginning and an end, the latter
having come about either spontaneously or as a result of vigorous stimulation or
cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The infant is usually described by the observer of
the event as having had a disturbance of at least two of the following: breathing,
color, consciousness, movement, or muscle tone. ALTE therefore describes
symptoms and is not a diagnosis of specific condition.
