Apparent life-threatening event: a neurologic perspective.

Of 46 infants who were investigated for apparent life-threatening events, central nervous system disorders were diagnosed in seven (15%). Convulsive disorders, intraventricular hemorrhage and hydrocephalus, absent corpus callosum, and development deficits were found. In four of the seven, no neurologic deficit was suspected before the event. Electroencephalographic studies (overnight in two) would have identified the disorder in all four. Electroencephalography is therefore a recommended routine procedure in investigation of apparent life-threatening events. Central nervous system disorders should be routinely ruled out in cases of apparent life-threatening event, even in the absence of clinical clues.