Apparent life threatening event in infant (ALTE)

📋Clinical Description

This code describes an acute, unexpected, and frightening episode in an infant, characterized by a combination of apnea, color change (cyanosis or pallor), marked change in muscle tone (hypotonia or hypertonia), and/or choking or gagging. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning other identifiable causes for the event have been ruled out or are not yet determined.

🎯When to Use

Assign this code when an infant presents with a history of an apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) and a definitive underlying cause has not been established or is not being coded separately. Documentation should clearly describe the event's characteristics, such as respiratory arrest, cyanosis, limpness, or choking, and indicate that it was an acute, unexpected episode.

💡Coding Tips

Do not use this code if a specific underlying cause for the event, such as a seizure, sepsis, or cardiac arrhythmia, has been definitively diagnosed and is being coded.
This code is often used in conjunction with codes for diagnostic workups to identify the etiology of the ALTE.
Differentiate from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome); ALTE is a near miss, while SIDS is a fatal event.

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Clinical Notes

Inclusion Terms

Apparent life threatening event in newborn
Brief resolved unexplained event (BRUE)

Code first

confirmed diagnosis, if known

Use additional code

code(s) for associated signs and symptoms if no confirmed diagnosis established, or if signs and symptoms are not associated routinely with confirmed diagnosis, or provide additional information for cause of ALTE

Code Hierarchy

▲R68.1Nonspecific symptoms peculiar to infancy

R68.13(current)

Crosswalks

799.82ExactICD-9 799.82ExactICD-9

Same Category

R68Other general symptoms and signs R68.0Hypothermia, not associated w low environmental temperature R68.1Nonspecific symptoms peculiar to infancy R68.11Excessive crying of infant (baby)