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Heart Murmurs in ChildrenWhat are heart murmurs in children?Heart murmurs are extra or abnormal sounds made by turbulent blood flowing through the heart. Murmurs are graded on a scale of 1 to 6, based on how loud they are. One means a very faint murmur. Six means a murmur that's very loud. Types of murmurs include:
What causes heart murmurs in a child?Heart murmurs may be common in normal, healthy children. These are called innocent murmurs. In some cases, a child may be born with a heart defect that causes a murmur. These may be called pathologic. Other causes of murmurs include:
What are the symptoms of heart murmurs in a child?Children with innocent murmurs have no other symptoms except the abnormal heart sounds. A child with a pathologic heart murmur may have one or more of the following symptoms. They vary depending on the problem.
The symptoms of heart murmur can be like other health conditions. Have your child see his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis. How are heart murmurs diagnosed in a child?The healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. He or she will do a physical exam on your child. During an exam, the provider will listen to your child's heart with a stethoscope. If the provider hears an abnormal sound, he or she may refer you to a pediatric cardiologist. This is a doctor with special training to treat children with heart problems. Tests include:
How are heart murmurs treated in a child?Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. Many heart murmurs are normal, extra sounds in children with strong, healthy hearts. These children don’t need treatment. Some of these heart murmurs may go away on their own with time. If the murmur is from a congenital heart defect, treatment may include medicine, procedures, or surgery. If the murmur is from another condition, the heart murmur will usually lessen or go away once the condition is treated. What are possible complications of heart murmurs in a child?A heart murmur has no complications. But your child may have complications related to the condition causing the heart murmur. A child with a congenital heart defect may have poor growth and development, heart failure, or other serious problems. When should I call my child's healthcare provider?Call your child's healthcare provider if your child has any symptoms of heart disease such as:
Key points about heart murmurs in children
Next stepsTips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:
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