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Table 4 Objective examination for the assessment of a potential ALTE [43, 46, 47]

From: Apparent Life-Threatening Events (ALTE): Italian guidelines

• Weight, length, head circumference

• Monitoring of the vital functions: heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), blood pressure (BP), skin temperature, Sp,O2

• Type of crying

• Respiratory function

 

• Skin colour, skin perfusion (capillary refilling time)

 

• State of hydration

• Eye assessment (extra-ocular movements, pupillary response, conjunctival bleeding, examination of the retina if indicated)

• Examination of ear and oropharynx (nasal congestion and secretions, blood in nostrils or oral cavity, evidence of injuries or obstructions, tearing of frenulum)

• Search for possible craniofacial dysmorphisms (mandible, jaw, nose)

• Assessment of the neck mobility

 

• Peripheral pulses, rhythm, rate, heart auscultation

• Physical examination of the abdomen (organomegaly, masses, abdominal distension), inspection of genitals

 

• Anterior fontanel tension, shape of head, bruises or other lesions

• Palpation of ribs for possible yielding, crepitus, irregularities

 

• Limbs: muscle tone, lesions, deformities with possible fractures

 

• Neurobehavioural assessment, muscle tone, reflexes

• Neurological assessment (reactivity to external stimuli, response to sound and visual stimuli, general tone, pupillary reflexes to light, symmetry of the movement, tone and strength)

• Presence of meningeal symptoms