Heart Murmurs in Babies and Children
What is a Heart Murmur?
Heart murmurs are very common in children. They are extra noises from the heart, heard with a stethoscope. They may represent an underlying heart problem or may be a normal finding (innocent). They are frequently heard incidentally when a child is taken to the GP for other reasons, such as a fever.
A child with a heart murmur is usually assessed with a clinical examination followed by an Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) and ECG.
Innocent Heart Murmurs
These are the commonest murmurs in children and affect up to 1 in 3 children at some time. They are a normal finding and do not mean there is any problem with the heart. They are caused by normal blood flow in the heart and surrounding vessels.
"Sometimes we can hear water in our radiators and house waterpipes without there being a problem. Similarly, extra noises may be heard from the heart without there being a problem." — Dr Naqvi
If your child has an innocent heart murmur, they are within the normal range and do not require follow-up or restrictions on activities.
Pathological Murmurs
Some murmurs may be due to a problem with the heart, such as:
- Holes in the heart
- Narrow or leaking heart valves
- Abnormal heart connections
Even if a pathological murmur is found, treatment may not be necessary. Management depends on the condition, typically diagnosed via an Echocardiogram.