description): The purpose of this study is to delineate the epidemiology of infant admissions to an academic tertiary care medical center following an apparent life-threatening event (ALTE), with particular emphasis on the incidence of shaken baby syndrome; and to assess the utility and cost of including, in the evaluation of an ALTE, specific tests that can detect shaken baby syndrome. All infants under one year of age who are admitted to Westchester County Medical Center for evaluation of ALTE during a 21-month period will be enrolled in the study. Hospital and follow-up data will be prospectively gathered to determine the epidemiology (etiology and outcomes) of ALTEs. Based on results of a standardized diagnostic evaluation protocol, subjects will be classified into one of four etiologic categories: shaken baby syndrome, other etiology involving brain, etiology not involving brain, or etiology unknown. In addition, the study will determine the marginal improvement in the detection of shaken baby syndrome resulting from the inclusion of specific diagnostic tests (fundoscopic retinal examination and head CT scan) in the evaluation of ALTE, as well as the marginal cost of those tests.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
1R03HD035189-01A1
Application #
2449593
Study Section
Pediatrics Subcommittee (CHHD)
Project Start
1997-08-01
Project End
1999-07-31
Budget Start
1997-08-01
Budget End
1998-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
New York Medical College
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Valhalla
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10595
Altman, Robin L; Li, Karl I; Brand, Donald A (2008) Infections and apparent life-threatening events. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 47:372-8
Altman, R L; Forman, S; Brand, D A (2007) Ophthalmologic findings in infants after an apparent life-threatening event. Eur J Ophthalmol 17:648-53
Brand, Donald A; Altman, Robin L; Purtill, Kerry et al. (2005) Yield of diagnostic testing in infants who have had an apparent life-threatening event. Pediatrics 115:885-93
Altman, Robin L; Brand, Donald A; Forman, Scott et al. (2003) Abusive head injury as a cause of apparent life-threatening events in infancy. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 157:1011-5