apparent life-threatening event


apparent life-threatening event (ALTE),

a condition that occurs, typically in infants, which is frightening to the observer and is characterized by some combination of apnea (central or obstructive), color change (typically cyanotic or pallid but occasionally erythematous or plethoric), marked change in muscle tone (usually limpness), choking, or gagging.

ap·pa·rent life-threat·en·ing e·vent

(ALTE) (ă-par'ĕnt līf-thret'ĕn-ing ĕ-vent') An ill-defined condition that occurs in infants; involves a change in breathing and either cyanosis, muscle weakness, choking/gagging, or apnea; causes the patient's caregiver to seek immediate medical assistance.