Vertical transmission of Babesia microti, United States.

Babesiosis is usually acquired from a tick bite or through a blood transfusion. We report a case of babesiosis in an infant for whom vertical transmission was suggested by evidence of Babesia spp. antibodies in the heel-stick blood sample and confirmed by detection of Babesia spp.

Yield of diagnostic testing in infants who have had an apparent life-threatening event.

Objective: Many infants who have experienced an apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) seem normal by the time they reach the hospital. Nevertheless, they typically undergo an extensive evaluation to rule out serious underlying conditions. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the yield of different diagnostic tests in helping to identify the cause of the ALTE.