2008/07/14 by Kishore Vellody, Jennifer P. Freeto, Jennifer Perry Freeto +5
Medicine · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Child Abuse and Related Trauma #Child Abuse and Trauma #Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse
paper · doi:10.1177/0009922808320595
crossref issued 2008/07/14 · crossref published 2008/07/14 · crossref published-online 2008/07/14 · openalex publication_date 2008/07/14 · crossref created 2008/07/22 · crossref published-print 2008/11/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref deposited 2026/04/28 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21 · crossref indexed 2026/07/25
BACKGROUND: Apparent life-threatening events (ALTEs) can encompass many different diagnoses. Nonaccidental trauma (NAT) is one potential serious diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: (1) To identify key elements in the history and physical exam in infants presenting with an ALTE that aid in the subsequent diagnosis of NAT; and (2) to evaluate the role of diagnostic studies in these infants in confirming the diagnosis of NAT. DESIGN/METHODS: A retrospective chart review analysis, over a 2-year period, of infants with an ALTE was performed. From this group, all children with a discharge diagnosis of child physical abuse, shaken infant syndrome, or NAT were included in the study. RESULTS: 4 patients were found to be victims of NAT based on their clinical histories and physical examinations. Although confirmatory, ophthalmologic exams, skeletal surveys, and head CT scans had a lower sensitivity for NAT. CONCLUSIONS: NAT should be considered when an infant is admitted for evaluation of an ALTE.