Heart Murmur in Children

When the heart beats, it also produces certain sounds, along with the lub dub sound, what is known as a heart murmur. Most of the heart murmurs are benign and are caused when the blood rushes through the valves of the heart. Heart murmurs can be noticed in individuals of all age groups, from babies to adults and are quite normal. Heart murmurs can be mild or loud, depending on the flow of the blood in the heart. An innocent or benign heart murmur in children is not serious and will go away after some time. But sometimes abnormal heart murmurs can be caused due to congenital heart defects like a malformed valve or a hole in the heart. A systolic heart murmur is usually diagnosed with the help of a stethoscope to determine the exact cause of this condition. This heart murmur can be usually heard between the first and second sound.

Symptoms of Heart Murmur in Children

Children who have normal heart murmurs do not show any symptoms and these sounds are hardly a cause for concern. But if the heart murmurs are caused due to a leaky valve or any other heart disorder, then it needs to be brought to the immediate attention of the doctor. A few of the symptoms of heart murmur in infants are given below:

• Discoloration of the skin, especially on the lips, fingertips and in the mouth. This condition mainly occurs due to the improper supply of oxygen to the brain.
• The child may also experience shortness of breath followed by fainting spells.
• One of the symptoms of heart murmur in babies is poor feeding habits and inability to gain weight. The child may also keep crying continuously.
• In older children, symptoms like fatigue and chest pain are observed during physical exertion.
• Other symptoms include loss of appetite, difficulty in swallowing, sweating profusely, rapid breathing, etc.

Treating Heart Murmur in Children

Children having a normal or innocent heart murmur may not require any treatment since this condition is harmless. But it is essential to alert the pediatrician about this condition. Heart murmur can be an indication of some underlying congenital heart diseases, which may need prompt medical attention. If the heart murmurs are not treated on time, when the child grows it may lead to disorders like high blood pressure, inflammation of the heart muscles and also heart attacks. The treatment may depend on the symptoms shown by the child and also on the causative factors. The doctor may diagnose the exact condition by examining the child. He may also suggest an ECG, chest X-ray or an echocardiogram to evaluate the heart murmurs. Innocent heart murmurs are temporary and may be due to certain conditions like anemia, fever or hypothyroidism and will go away after treatment of these conditions. But in case of abnormal heart murmurs, treatment may depend upon the type and severity of the congenital heart problems. The doctor may prescribe certain drugs and medications to treat the defect. In case the disorder is severe like a leaky heart valve, or a hole in the heart, the child may have to undergo surgery.

Heart murmur in children is usually normal and not a matter of concern if it is innocent. However, it is advisable to take your child to a pediatrician to confirm the exact cause of heart murmurs.