Brief resolved unexplained event: Difference between revisions

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== Background ==
==Background==
*Peak incidence: 1wk - 2mo
*Abbreviation: BRUE
*ALTE is a symptom, not a dx
*BRUE was formerly known as Apparent life-threatening event (ALTE)<ref name="aap">[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27244835 Tieder et al. Brief Resolved Unexplained Events (Formerly Apparent Life-Threatening Events) and Evaluation of Lower-Risk Infants. Pediatrics. May 2016, Vol. 137(5)]</ref>
*BRUE definition has a strict age limit (<1 y/o) and should only be considered if no other likely explanation
*Peak incidence: 1 wk - 2 mo
*BRUE is a symptom and requires evaluation for the actual diagnosis causing the event
*Only 10% have repeat events
*Only 10% have repeat events
*ALTE is not related to SIDS
*BRUE is not related to [[SIDS]]


== Diagnosis ==
===Definition===
*Episode that is frightening to caregiver and involves combination of:
BRUE diagnosis is only made by a clinician based on the features and is not based on the caregiver's perception of what happened. BRUE is an event occurring in an infant <1 year of age  when an observer reports a sudden, brief '''( <1 minute but typically <20–30 seconds)''', and now resolved episode of ≥1 of the following:<ref name="aap"></ref>
**Apnea
*Cyanosis or pallor
**Color change
*Absent, decreased, or irregular breathing
**Muscle tone change
*Marked change in tone (hyper or hypotonia)
**Choking or gagging
*Altered level of responsiveness
*Must have returned to baseline
''A BRUE should only be diagnosed when there is no alternative explanation for a the event after completing full history and physical.''


==History==
===ALTE to BRUE Definiton Changes===
*PMH
*BRUE has a strict age limit < 1yo
**Prematurity, history of apnea, prior resp/feeding difficulties
*There must be no other explanation for the event (not something as simple as nasal congestion, choking, viral infection or vomiting)
**Immunization status (pertussis)
*Caregiver's perception of a BRUE does not make an event a BRUE without clinical suspicion
*FH
*Altered responsiveness is a new criteria
**History of SIDS, cardiac, seizure, metabolic disease
*Event
**Duration, resus required
**Temporal relationship with feeding, sleeping, crying, vomiting, choking
**Central versus obstructive pattern of apnea
**Episodic versus sustained change in mental status
*ROS
**Respiratory symptoms
**Medication use


== Risk Factors ==
===Risk Factors===
#RSV infection
*[[RSV]] infection
#Prematurity
*Prematurity
#Recent anesthesia
*Recent anesthesia
#GERD
*[[GERD]]
#Airway/maxillofacial anomalies
*Airway/maxillofacial anomalies
*Age < 10 wks
*History of apnea
*Pallor, cyanosis, feeding difficulties
*Family hx of sudden cardiac death


== DDX<ref>McGovern MC. et al. Smith MB. Causes of apparent life threatening events in children: a systemic review. Arch Dis Child. 2004;89(11):1043-1048</ref> ==
==Clinical Features==
''See definition above''
*Extensive list of historical features to be considered from [https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/highwire/markup/111204/expansion?width=1000&height=500&iframe=true&postprocessors=highwire_tables%2Chighwire_reclass%2Chighwire_figures%2Chighwire_math%2Chighwire_inline_linked_media%2Chighwire_embed Table 2 of the original BRUE article.]<ref name="aap"></ref>
*Extensive list of physical exam features be considered from [https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/highwire/markup/111147/expansion?width=1000&height=500&iframe=true&postprocessors=highwire_tables%2Chighwire_reclass%2Chighwire_figures%2Chighwire_math%2Chighwire_inline_linked_media%2Chighwire_embed Table 3 of the original BRUE article.]<ref name="aap"></ref>
 
===Past Medical History===
''The history in an BRUE should focus extensively on the details surrounding the event, need for resuscitation, prior events, possible related medical conditions, or historic findings that may indicate prior events.''
*Prematurity, history of apnea, prior resp/feeding difficulties
*Immunization status (particularly pertussis)
 
===Family History===
*History of [[SIDS]], cardiac abnormalities, seizures, or metabolic disease
 
===Event===
*Duration of the BRUE
*Was resuscitation with CPR and rescue breaths required?
*Temporal relationship with feeding, sleeping, crying, vomiting, or choking
*Any episodes concerning for central versus obstructive patterns of apnea
*Any progressive or episodic changes in mental status
 
==Differential Diagnosis==
''The differential diagnosis is extensive, and although a broad workup is often started in the ED including evaluation for sepsis, occult infection, and metabolic disorders, a cause is infrequently found<ref>McGovern MC. et al. Smith MB. Causes of apparent life threatening events in children: a systemic review. Arch Dis Child. 2004;89(11):1043-1048</ref> ''
===Common<ref>Okada K et al. Discharge Diagnoses in infants with apparent life threatening event admissions and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Pediatric Emergency Care. 2012;28(1):17-21</ref>===
===Common<ref>Okada K et al. Discharge Diagnoses in infants with apparent life threatening event admissions and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Pediatric Emergency Care. 2012;28(1):17-21</ref>===
#Idiopathic (~50%)
*Idiopathic (~50%)
#GERD
*[[GERD]]
#Seizure
*[[Seizure]]
#Respiratory tract infection
*Respiratory tract infection (e.g. [[bronchiolitis]])
#Misinterpretation of benign process (e.g. periodic breathing)
*Misinterpretation of benign process (e.g. periodic breathing)
#Vomiting/choking episode
*[[Vomiting]]/choking episode
 
===Less Common===
===Less Common===
#Pertussis
*[[Pertussis]]
#Inflicted injury
*[[Nonaccidental trauma]]
#Poisoning
*[[Toxicity|Poisoning]]
#Serious bacterial infection
*Serious bacterial infection (e.g.[[Meningitis (Peds)|meningitis]],  [[Pneumonia (Peds)|pneumonia]], [[Bacteremia]], [[UTI (Peds)|UTI)]])
##Must consider in all febrile pts with ALTE
**Must consider in all febrile patients with BRUE
#Electrolyte abnormality (incl glucose)
*[[Electrolyte abnormalities]] (including [[hypoglycemia (Peds)|hypoglycemia]] and other glucose abnormalities)
 
===Uncommon===
===Uncommon===
#Arrhythmia
*[[Arrhythmia]]
#[[Anemia]]
*[[Anemia]]
#Breath-holding spell (6mo - 4yrs)
*[[Breath-holding spell]] (6mo - 4yrs)
#Metabolic disease
*[[inborn errors of metabolism|Metabolic disease]]


== Work-Up ==
==Evaluation==
(Individualize testing by history and exam)
===Work-Up===
====Low Risk====
''Individualize testing by history and exam. These are <u>generally not needed</u> for the low risk patients.''
*Consider:
**Obtain [[pertussis]]
**[[ECG]]
**Briefly observe on pulse oximetry (e.g. 1-3 hours)


#CBC
====Moderate or Higher Risk====
#Chem 10
*CBC
#UA
*Chem 10
#CXR  
*[[Urinalysis]]
#Pertussis nasal swab  
*[[CXR]]
#RSV nasal swab  
*[[Pertussis]] nasal swab  
#Consider:
*[[RSV]] nasal swab  
##UCx/BC
*Consider:
##ECG  
**Urine culture /BC
##LP  
**[[ECG]]
##LFTs
**[[LP]]
##MRI Brain
**[[LFTs]]
**[[brain MRI|MRI Brain]]


== Management ==
===Diagnosis===
#Stable patients without a clear diagnosis
''See Definition in Background section''
##No evidence-based guidelines for proper w/u dispo decision
====Low Risk Criteria<ref name="aap"></ref>====
#Stable patients with a clear diagnosis
*Age >60 days
##Manage according to identified disease
*Gestational age > 32 weeks and post-conceptional age >= 45 weeks
*First BRUE ever
**No prior BRUE or BRUE in clusters
*BRUE duration <1 minute
*No CPR by a medical provider
*No concern for [[child abuse]], family history of sudden unexplained death,or toxic exposures
*No abnormal physical findings: (bruising, cardiac [[murmur]]s, [[hepatomegaly|organomegaly]])


==Management==
===Low Risk===
Low Risk infants can be safely discharged but there should be shared decision making with parents.
*Also offer the family CPR training resources
*Consider pertussis swab, ECG, and brief monitored observation in the ED.
*No other consults, metabolic or hematologic labs or medications are necessary for discharge


===Empiric Treatment for Unstable Patients without Clear Diagnosis===
==Disposition==
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" border="0" bgcolor="#666666" width="100%"
===Low Risk===
|- class="font12" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; "
*Discharged with shared parental decision making, CPR instructions, and close outpatient follow-up
! valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" align="left" rowspan="0" | Medication/Intervention
! valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" align="left" rowspan="0" | Indication
! valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" align="left" rowspan="0" | Dose/Size (for neonate)
|- class="font12" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; "
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | Glucose
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | Hypoglycemia
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | 5–10 mL/kg of 10% dextrose in water IV
|- class="font12" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; "
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | 3% normal saline
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | Symptomatic hyponatremia
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | 3–5 mL/kg bolus IV
|- class="font12" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; "
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | Calcium
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | Hypocalcemia
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | 50–100 milligrams/kg calcium gluconate or 20 milligrams/kg calcium chloride IV
|- class="font12" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; "
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | Cefotaxime
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | Infection
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | 50 milligrams/kg IV
|- class="font12" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; "
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | Ampicillin
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | Infection
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | 50 milligrams/kg IV
|- class="font12" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; "
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | Packed red blood cells
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | Anemia
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | 10 mL/kg IV
|- class="font12" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; "
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | Normal saline
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | Hypotension, dehydration
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | 20 mL/kg IV
|- class="font12" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; "
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | 10% dextrose in one fourth normal saline
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | Metabolic disease
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | 1.5 maintenance (6 mL/kg/h for the first 10 kg)
|- class="font12" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; "
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | Endotracheal intubation
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | Hypoventilation or frequent apnea
| valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="font12" align="left" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; " | <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; ">3mm&nbsp;for preemie; 3mm&nbsp;for term neonate, 4mm</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px;">&nbsp;</span>for older infant
|}


== Disposition ==
===Not Low Risk===
Admission in most cases
''Admission in most cases''


Especially for:
Especially for:
#<48wk postconceptual age
*<30 weeks preterm<ref>Claudius I, Keens T. Do all infants with apparent life-threatening events need to be admitted? Pediatrics. 2007;119(4):679–683pmid:17403838</ref>
#Ill-appearing
*Ill-appearing or abnormal vitals (including pulse ox)<ref>Hunt CE et al. Collaborative Home Infant Monitoring Evaluation (CHIME) Study Group. Longitudinal assessment of hemoglobin oxygen saturation in healthy infants during the first 6 months of age. J Pediatr. 1999;135(5):580–586pmid:10547246</ref>
#Bronchiolitis or pertussis w/ apnea
*[[Bronchiolitis]] or [[pertussis]] with apnea
#>1 event in past 24hr or multiple ALTEs
*>1 event in past 24hr or multiple BRUE
#Abnormalities in PMH
*Abnormalities in past medical history
#Prolonged central apnea >20s
*Prolonged central apnea >20 seconds
#ALTE requiring resus
*Need for resuscitation
#Family history of SIDS
*Family history of SIDS


==Current Research==
==Current Research==
Line 142: Line 140:
*300 Infants in a single center with 76% admission rate with 37 (12%) required significant intervention   
*300 Infants in a single center with 76% admission rate with 37 (12%) required significant intervention   
;Predictors for requiring intervention
;Predictors for requiring intervention
#Prematurity
*Prematurity
#Abnormal physical examination
*Abnormal physical examination
#Color change to cyanosis,
*Color change to cyanosis,
#Absence of upper respiratory infection symptoms and the absence of choking
*Absence of upper respiratory infection symptoms and the absence of choking
*Negative predictive value: 96%  
*Negative predictive value: 96%  
*Specificity of 70.5%  
*Specificity of 70.5%  
Line 153: Line 151:
*832 patients from 4 different study sites, with a 79.2% admission rate
*832 patients from 4 different study sites, with a 79.2% admission rate
;Predictors for requiring admission
;Predictors for requiring admission
#Obvious need for admission:
*Obvious need for admission:
##Supplemental Oxygen requirement
**[[hypoxia|Supplemental Oxygen]] requirement
##Resuscitation
**Resuscitation
##Hemodynamic Instability
**[[shock|Hemodynamic Instability]]
##Positive RSV or Pertussis test
**Positive [[RSV]] or [[Pertussis]] test
#Significant past medical history
*Significant past medical history
##Congenital heart disease
**[[Congenital heart disease]]
##Down Syndrome
**[[Down syndrome]]
##Previous Intubation
**Previous [[intubation]]
#Chromosomal abnormaility
*Chromosomal abnormality
#Chronic Lung Disease
*Chronic lung disease (e.g. [[bronchopulmonary dysplasia]])
# > 1 ALTE in 24 hours
*> 1 BRUE in 24 hours
*Negative predictive value of 96.5%  
*Negative predictive value of 96.5%  
*Sensitivity of 89% , a Specificity of 61.9% , and a calculated  
*Sensitivity of 89% , a Specificity of 61.9% , and a calculated  
*'''14 (2%) patients were discharged incorrectly'''
*'''14 (2%) patients were incorrectly discharged'''
 
==See Also==
*[[Neonatal resuscitation]]
 
==External Links==
[http://dontforgetthebubbles.com/brue-is-the-new-black/ Brue - Don't forget the bubbles]<BR>
[http://thesgem.com/2019/12/sgem-xtra-strange-brue/ SGEM Xtra: Strange Brue from The Sketics' Guide to EM]


== Source ==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>


[[Category:Peds]]
[[Category:Pediatrics]]

Revision as of 02:19, 22 December 2020

Background

  • Abbreviation: BRUE
  • BRUE was formerly known as Apparent life-threatening event (ALTE)[1]
  • BRUE definition has a strict age limit (<1 y/o) and should only be considered if no other likely explanation
  • Peak incidence: 1 wk - 2 mo
  • BRUE is a symptom and requires evaluation for the actual diagnosis causing the event
  • Only 10% have repeat events
  • BRUE is not related to SIDS

Definition

BRUE diagnosis is only made by a clinician based on the features and is not based on the caregiver's perception of what happened. BRUE is an event occurring in an infant <1 year of age when an observer reports a sudden, brief ( <1 minute but typically <20–30 seconds), and now resolved episode of ≥1 of the following:[1]

  • Cyanosis or pallor
  • Absent, decreased, or irregular breathing
  • Marked change in tone (hyper or hypotonia)
  • Altered level of responsiveness
  • Must have returned to baseline

A BRUE should only be diagnosed when there is no alternative explanation for a the event after completing full history and physical.

ALTE to BRUE Definiton Changes

  • BRUE has a strict age limit < 1yo
  • There must be no other explanation for the event (not something as simple as nasal congestion, choking, viral infection or vomiting)
  • Caregiver's perception of a BRUE does not make an event a BRUE without clinical suspicion
  • Altered responsiveness is a new criteria

Risk Factors

  • RSV infection
  • Prematurity
  • Recent anesthesia
  • GERD
  • Airway/maxillofacial anomalies
  • Age < 10 wks
  • History of apnea
  • Pallor, cyanosis, feeding difficulties
  • Family hx of sudden cardiac death

Clinical Features

See definition above

Past Medical History

The history in an BRUE should focus extensively on the details surrounding the event, need for resuscitation, prior events, possible related medical conditions, or historic findings that may indicate prior events.

  • Prematurity, history of apnea, prior resp/feeding difficulties
  • Immunization status (particularly pertussis)

Family History

  • History of SIDS, cardiac abnormalities, seizures, or metabolic disease

Event

  • Duration of the BRUE
  • Was resuscitation with CPR and rescue breaths required?
  • Temporal relationship with feeding, sleeping, crying, vomiting, or choking
  • Any episodes concerning for central versus obstructive patterns of apnea
  • Any progressive or episodic changes in mental status

Differential Diagnosis

The differential diagnosis is extensive, and although a broad workup is often started in the ED including evaluation for sepsis, occult infection, and metabolic disorders, a cause is infrequently found[2]

Common[3]

  • Idiopathic (~50%)
  • GERD
  • Seizure
  • Respiratory tract infection (e.g. bronchiolitis)
  • Misinterpretation of benign process (e.g. periodic breathing)
  • Vomiting/choking episode

Less Common

Uncommon

Evaluation

Work-Up

Low Risk

Individualize testing by history and exam. These are generally not needed for the low risk patients.

  • Consider:
    • Obtain pertussis
    • ECG
    • Briefly observe on pulse oximetry (e.g. 1-3 hours)

Moderate or Higher Risk

Diagnosis

See Definition in Background section

Low Risk Criteria[1]

  • Age >60 days
  • Gestational age > 32 weeks and post-conceptional age >= 45 weeks
  • First BRUE ever
    • No prior BRUE or BRUE in clusters
  • BRUE duration <1 minute
  • No CPR by a medical provider
  • No concern for child abuse, family history of sudden unexplained death,or toxic exposures
  • No abnormal physical findings: (bruising, cardiac murmurs, organomegaly)

Management

Low Risk

Low Risk infants can be safely discharged but there should be shared decision making with parents.

  • Also offer the family CPR training resources
  • Consider pertussis swab, ECG, and brief monitored observation in the ED.
  • No other consults, metabolic or hematologic labs or medications are necessary for discharge

Disposition

Low Risk

  • Discharged with shared parental decision making, CPR instructions, and close outpatient follow-up

Not Low Risk

Admission in most cases

Especially for:

  • <30 weeks preterm[4]
  • Ill-appearing or abnormal vitals (including pulse ox)[5]
  • Bronchiolitis or pertussis with apnea
  • >1 event in past 24hr or multiple BRUE
  • Abnormalities in past medical history
  • Prolonged central apnea >20 seconds
  • Need for resuscitation
  • Family history of SIDS

Current Research

  • Neither of these decision rules have been validated

Mittal ALTE Decision Rule[6]

  • 300 Infants in a single center with 76% admission rate with 37 (12%) required significant intervention
Predictors for requiring intervention
  • Prematurity
  • Abnormal physical examination
  • Color change to cyanosis,
  • Absence of upper respiratory infection symptoms and the absence of choking
  • Negative predictive value: 96%
  • Specificity of 70.5%
  • 7 out of the 184 (3.8%) were incorrectly discharged

Kaji ALTE Decision Rule[7]

  • 832 patients from 4 different study sites, with a 79.2% admission rate
Predictors for requiring admission

See Also

External Links

Brue - Don't forget the bubbles
SGEM Xtra: Strange Brue from The Sketics' Guide to EM

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Tieder et al. Brief Resolved Unexplained Events (Formerly Apparent Life-Threatening Events) and Evaluation of Lower-Risk Infants. Pediatrics. May 2016, Vol. 137(5)
  2. McGovern MC. et al. Smith MB. Causes of apparent life threatening events in children: a systemic review. Arch Dis Child. 2004;89(11):1043-1048
  3. Okada K et al. Discharge Diagnoses in infants with apparent life threatening event admissions and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Pediatric Emergency Care. 2012;28(1):17-21
  4. Claudius I, Keens T. Do all infants with apparent life-threatening events need to be admitted? Pediatrics. 2007;119(4):679–683pmid:17403838
  5. Hunt CE et al. Collaborative Home Infant Monitoring Evaluation (CHIME) Study Group. Longitudinal assessment of hemoglobin oxygen saturation in healthy infants during the first 6 months of age. J Pediatr. 1999;135(5):580–586pmid:10547246
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