Serious bacterial infections in infants who have experienced an apparent life-threatening event.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We determine the incidence of serious bacterial infection in infants presenting to the emergency department (ED) with an apparent life-threatening event.

METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of infants younger than 12 months who were treated at an urban children's hospital ED during 1 year and who met standard criteria for an apparent life-threatening event. Sociodemographic data, presenting features, diagnostic testing, hospital course, and final diagnosis were collected. Follow-up information was obtained 4 weeks after the visit.

RESULTS: Of the 198 infants enrolled, 44 (22.2%) had evaluation for serious bacterial infection: urine culture 36 (18%), blood culture 38 (19%) and cerebrospinal fluid culture 18 (9%). No infant (0/198; 95% confidence interval 0% to 1.8%) was found to have bacteremia, urinary tract infection, or bacterial meningitis, which was confirmed at the 4-week interview (99% ascertainment). Two infants were found to have enteroviral meningitis.

CONCLUSION: The incidence of serious bacterial infection in this cohort was extremely low. Infants presenting with an apparent life-threatening event need not be subjected to a full serious bacterial infection evaluation routinely.