İNNOCENT HEART MURMURS

Cardiac murmurs in childhood depend on three main factors; a hole in the middle wall of the heart, stenosis or insufficiency of heart valves and innocent murmur.

More than half of murmurs heard in childhood are innocent murmurs. Innocent murmurs are heard without any disorder in the heart. Due to the fact that the number of heart beats per minute is greater in children than in adults, the turbulence (vibration) resulting from the rapid flow of blood through the heart or large veins is heard. In the periods of fever and anemia, the number of heartbeats per minute is higher and innocent murmurs become more audible. All innocent murmurs can be heard in every period of childhood. These murmurs has no harmful effects on children. lt can disappear until fifteen years old or it can continue until adult life.

Without significant complaint or finding, only the murmur may be attributed to a birth defect (such as a hole, stenosis) or acquired heart disease (such as cardiac rheumatism). Although an experienced pediatrician may have an idea that the murmur may be innocent murmur or associated with heart disease, we can say as the pediatric cardiologists that it is definitely recognized by echocardiographic evaluation. As a result of echocardiographic examination, if no heart disease is detected and the murmur is accepted as an innocent murmur, no follow-up is made.

Early diagnosis and treatment results of childhood heart diseases are often good. However, the treatment may not be possible in delayed cases. If your pediatrist hears a murmur and recommends, it will be appropriate that a pediatric cardiologist evaluates  your child's heart without losing much time.