Apparent Life Threatening Event

Question 1

What is an apparent life-threatening event? What is thought to be the most common cause and what generally happens?

Answer 1

• Episode generally in first 3/12 frightening to the observer with some combination of:
  
  • Apnoea, colour change, change in muscle tone, choking or gagging
• Common cause: thought to be exaggerated airway protection reflexes. Others rare
• Admission for further observation is because further events tend to happen in the first 24 hours after ED presentation if going to occur