ALTE
Pronunciation: AL-tee
Also written as: ALTE — Apparent Life-Threatening Event
An episode in an infant characterized by apnea, color change, marked change in muscle tone, choking, or gagging that is frightening to the observer.
Full Definition
Apparent Life-Threatening Event (ALTE) is a term used to describe an episode in an infant that is characterized by some combination of apnea, color change (usually cyanotic or pallid), marked change in muscle tone (usually limp), and choking or gagging. These episodes are frightening to the observer and may appear life-threatening, though the infant typically recovers spontaneously or with gentle stimulation. The term has largely been replaced by 'Brief Resolved Unexplained Event' (BRUE) in recent medical literature, though ALTE continues to appear in older documentation and some clinical contexts.
Usage
Usage note: Increasingly being replaced by 'BRUE' in current medical literature. Use the full form on first mention.
In Context
- "The parents brought their 6-week-old infant to the emergency department following an ALTE that lasted approximately 30 seconds." — Emergency department documentation
- "Workup for ALTE should be individualized based on the clinical presentation and risk factors." — Clinical guidelines