Final answer:
Witnessed Collapse is when someone sees the child or infant collapse, allowing for immediate action; Unwitnessed Collapse occurs without witnesses, possibly delaying intervention. Causes for collapse vary, with sudden events for witnessed and a range of issues, like SIDS or abuse, for unwitnessed cases. Both require medical attention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The differences between Witnessed Collapse and Unwitnessed Collapse in children and infants pertain to the circumstances of how and when the collapse is observed and the implications for emergency response. A Witnessed Collapse occurs when someone sees the child or infant collapse, which allows for immediate recognition and response to the emergency. In contrast, an Unwitnessed Collapse occurs when no one is present to witness the child or infant collapsing, leading to the potential for delayed discovery and intervention, which may affect the child's prognosis.
While Witnessed Collapse may be a medical emergency requiring immediate attention possibly due to a sudden event like cardiac arrest, Unwitnessed Collapse may involve varying causes, including conditions such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or incidents like shaken-baby syndrome. Both situations are critical, and any collapse, whether witnessed or unwitnessed, should be followed by prompt medical evaluation.