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Warning-sign checks

Brief resolved unexplained event - BRUE: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Do not delay emergency care in order to make a recording.

    Seek urgent or emergency care for:

    • Blue or gray color that persists or returns
    • Pauses in breathing, struggling to breathe, or abnormal breathing that continues
    • Limpness, unresponsiveness, or difficulty waking the baby
    • A prolonged or repeated seizure-like event
    • A baby who does not return to their usual state
    • Any event requiring rescue breathing or CPR
    • Fever in a young infant, especially one younger than 3 months

    Training can improve confidence and help people respond appropriately if a future emergency occurs.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    The timing of routine follow-up depends on the baby's age and clinical assessment, but prompt contact with the baby's primary care clinician is often appropriate.

    Contact the baby's clinician promptly if there are repeated brief episodes, new feeding difficulty, coughing or choking with feeds, poor intake, unusual sleepiness, or a change from the baby's normal behavior.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Before leaving medical care, caregivers should understand why the event was or was not classified as a BRUE, whether the baby meets lower-risk criteria, and what follow-up is planned.

    At follow-up, the clinician may review feeding, growth, breathing, sleep, development, and whether another event has occurred.

    Bring a written description of any new episode.

    If it is safe to do so, noting the start and stop time can be useful.

The article also says

Caregivers and other regular childcare providers may benefit from an approved infant CPR course.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Brief resolved unexplained event - BRUE. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.