Families and Older Children With Innocent Murmurs Should Be:
By: Juan Villafañe Jr., Dr., FAAP & S. Kristen Sexson Tejtel, Physician, PhD, FAAP
When doctors listen to a kid's middle, what they usually hear is a simple rhythm: "lub-dub, lub-dub, lub-dub..." Sometimes, they'll hear an extra sound in between the lub and the dub. That extra sound is called a center murmur.
Although the proper name is unsettling, heart murmurs are very common in children. Commonly, they are normal sounds made as the blood is pumped through the heart chambers, valves and arteries--like a whooshing or swishing noise. Rarely, they may demand to be checked by a specialist to dominion out any bug.
What kind of murmur is it?
At that place are two kinds of middle murmurs: innocent murmurs and pathologic murmurs. The doctor volition mind to the murmur'south loudness, timing and how long it lasts in the cardiac cycle, which is the end of one heartbeat to the start of the next. Sometimes, it is difficult to tell the difference betwixt the two kinds of murmurs only by listening. Some heart abnormalities may not produce a murmur at all. In those cases, an echocardiogram may be helpful.
If your doctor has a question about your child's middle murmur, they may refer y'all to a pediatric cardiologist. Pediatric cardiologists have special training to await for heart problems that bear upon children.
Innocent murmurs (functional murmurs)
Innocent murmurs are harmless, but mutual. Over two-thirds of schoolhouse-age children may have an innocent murmur. They may get louder if a child is excited, stressed, or ill. Many disappear every bit the child grows, although some do concluding into machismo. Your medico can detect these murmurs by simply listening to your child'southward eye with a stethoscope.
Children with innocent heart murmurs practice not have a related heart problem. They do not need whatsoever medical treatment, surgery, sports restrictions, or follow-up with a pediatric cardiologist.
Even when pediatricians believe a child's murmur is innocent, nevertheless, they may however recommend a 2nd opinion from a pediatric cardiologist to be certain. A referral to a pediatric cardiologist does not hateful that the murmur is abnormal. Pediatricians are more than likely to refer an infant with a eye murmur that occurs during the first six months of life.
Pathologic murmurs
Rarely, a murmur tin indicate a problem with the heart. This is called a pathologic murmur. Pathologic murmurs are much rarer and occur in less than 1% of the population. Sometimes, they may be related to congenital heart defect that a babe was born with.
Why does information technology audio like that?
Pathologic murmurs are usually loud and may include an actress sound chosen a click, which is heard with a stethoscope.
Causes of pathologic murmurs may include:
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abnormal connections betwixt the right and left centre chambers.
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aberrant connections between the major blood vessels coming from the heart.
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claret that flows through a thickened or leaky heart valve.
Sometimes, the murmur gets louder when the patient changes position, such as standing up. Certain conditions are linked to pathologic murmurs, including:
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Mitral valve prolapse with regurgitation: The mitral valve moves in an abnormal style and leaks.
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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy : An abnormal thickening of the eye.
Pathologic murmurs frequently are not life-threatening
While non normal, pathologic murmurs often are not life-threatening. They normally are heard when a child has a small-scale heart defect. But, if a kid has a heart murmur and as well develops symptoms such equally shortness of breath, problem eating or gaining weight, sweating while eating, or cyanosis (a blue tint to lips and skin), it could exist a more serious condition that needs medical attention right away.
Your child's pediatric cardiologist may do some testing, using an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram, to confirm any heart abnormality.
Conditions that may exist linked with pathologic heart murmurs
Certain syndromes or genetic conditions may exist associated with a cardiac aberration related to centre murmurs. These include:
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Down's syndrome. All children with Down's syndrome should have a cardiac evaluation. Many of these patients may have a simple or more circuitous heart defect.
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Patent ductus arteriosus. Premature infants may have this condition. Information technology occurs when a blood vessel (ductus arteriosus) does not shut. This causes blood to circulate abnormally between the two major arteries near the heart. It is oft found shortly later birth and can be confirmed by echocardiography.
Exercise murmurs need treatment?
Innocent murmurs practise not require treatment. If your child has a pathologic murmur, your pediatrician and pediatric cardiologist volition talk with yous about whether treatment is needed. Depending on the type of pathologic murmur your child has, they may need medication and follow-up care, or referral to a pediatric heart surgeon.
More Information
- HealthyChildren.org: Heart
Nearly Dr. Villafane:
Juan Villafane, MD, FAAP, is a pediatric cardiologist. Within the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Villafane is a fellow member of the Section on Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Publications and Communications Committee.
Near Dr. Sexson Tejtel
S. Kristen Sexson Tejtel, Physician, PhD, MPH, FAAP, is a pediatric cardiologist with involvement in cardiac imaging and acquired heart disease in children. Within the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Sexson Tejtel is a fellow member of the Section on Cardiology and Cardiac SurgeryPublications and Communications Commission.
The information contained on this Web site should non exist used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may exist variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
Source: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/heart/Pages/Heart-Murmur.aspx
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