Application of a new terminology “BRUE: brief, resolved and unexplained events”. Definitions and recommendations

Abstract

Three decades ago, the term Apparent Life-Threatening Events (ALTE) was proposed and was gradually incorporated into the clinical approach of these patients, allowing to determine risks, attribute causes, and perform specific treatments. However, this led to studies and hospitalizations considered unnecessary in many cases, increasing health costs. For this reason, the concept of Brief Resolved Unexplained Events (BRUE) was created, in order to reduce the subjectivity of the event and focus a management strategy according to the risk determination. This article analyzes the differences between ALTE and BRUE according to international and Chilean consensus, deepening the approach and incorporating relevant considerations for the daily clinical practice with infants who present a BRUE.