In this guidance document, OHRP defines serious adverse event as any adverse event that:

(1) results in death;
(2) is life-threatening (places the subject at immediate risk of death from the event as it occurred);
(3) results in inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization;
(4) results in a persistent or significant disability/incapacity;
(5) results in a congenital anomaly/birth defect; or
(6) based upon appropriate medical judgment, may jeopardize the subject's health and may require medical or surgical intervention to prevent one of the other outcomes listed in this definition (examples of such events include allergic bronchospasm requiring intensive treatment in the emergency room or at home, blood dyscrasias or convulsions that do not result in inpatient hospitalization, or the development of drug dependency or drug abuse).

(Modified from the definition of serious adverse drug experience in FDA regulations at 21 CFR 312.32(a).)

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