Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Brief Resolved Unexplained Events (BRUEs) in Children: A Comparative Analysis of Pre-Pandemic and Pandemic Periods

Abstract

Background: Brief Resolved Unexplained Events (BRUEs), formerly known as Apparent Life-Threatening Events (ALTEs), are concerning episodes of short duration (typically p = 0.009). Respiratory symptoms during BRUEs were more frequent during the pandemic (coefficient B = 0.654; p = 0.052). Fever during BRUEs was less likely during the pandemic (coefficient B = −0.465, p = 0.046). Conclusions: These findings could have significant clinical implications for managing children with BRUEs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords

• apparent life-threatening events
• brief resolved unexplained events
• COVID-19
• infant
• newborn
• polysomnography