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. Swelling (edema) of the lower legs, ankles, feet, belly (abdomen), liver, or neck veins
What causes a murmur in a child's heart?The heart may have a hole in it, a heart valve may leak, or a valve may not open all the way. If your doctor thinks your heart murmur could be due to a heart problem, you will need to see a pediatric cardiologist (say: pee-dee-AT-rik car-dee-OL-uh-jist). This kind of doctor knows a lot about children's hearts.
How common are murmurs beyond infancy?Beyond infancy, innocent murmurs are more common, occurring in 20% to 80% of children. 6, 20 Innocent murmurs should disappear as the child transitions into adulthood. 21 Pathologic murmurs beyond infancy are uncommon, with only 1% of childhood murmurs associated with structural heart disease that require intervention. 2
What happens if my child's heart murmurs with a stethoscope?These are called pathologic. If the healthcare provider hears a heart murmur when listening to your child's chest with a stethoscope, he or she may refer you a pediatric cardiologist for more tests. Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:
