Heart Murmur In Kids: Types, Causes, Symptoms And Treatment Recommended By Pediatric Cardiologists In Hyderabad

Hearing the words "heart murmur" during your child’s checkup by the pediatrician can be understandably alarming. As a parent, your mind might immediately race to the worst-case scenario. Relax! Take a deep breath; not all heart murmurs are dangerous, and many are a part of normal childhood development. In this article, know more about what heart murmurs in children mean, when they are considered normal, and when they may need closer attention.

What is a Heart Murmur According to Pediatric Cardiologists in Hyderabad?

A heart murmur is a whooshing or swishing sound heard during a heartbeat. This sounds like a turbulent blood flow in or near the heart when heard on a stethoscope. While a normal heartbeat sounds like a steady “lub-dub,” but a “murmur” adds an extra sound between those beats. Murmurs may usually get detected during a routine visit to the pediatrician using a stethoscope to address issues like a fever. However, they are not a diagnosis per se. Instead, they might be an indication that guides the pediatrician, for further diagnosis and treatment, if required.

Types of Heart Murmurs

Innocent or Physiologic Murmurs

It is important to remember that innocent murmurs are the most common type of heart murmur found in children. These are harmless sounds produced by normal blood flow through the heart’s chambers and valves. They are often heard in healthy children, especially between 3 and 7, when the heart and chest wall are still developing. This common occurrence should provide some reassurance to parents. In these cases, the heart is structurally normal, and the murmur is simply the result of blood moving a bit more turbulently than usual, such as periods of growth spurt, fever, if the child is mildly anemic, or after exerting pressure during physical activity. These murmurs are not associated with heart disease and do not affect the child’s health or daily activities. They typically fade away on their own as the child grows older and the body matures and neither any treatment nor restrictions are necessary. However, it is important to remember that routine pediatric consultations are crucial to monitor the heart as the child develops, allowing parents to stay proactive and in control.

Pathologic Murmurs

Pathologic murmurs, on the other hand, are caused by structural or functional abnormalities in the heart. These are not just sounds but signs that the heart may not be working to its optimum capacity. Unlike innocent murmurs, pathologic murmurs may point to underlying heart conditions that require immediate medical attention and subsequent treatment. Some common causes of pathologic murmurs in children include:
Congenital Heart Defects: These are structural abnormalities of the heart present from birth. They may involve the heart walls, valves, or blood vessels near the heart indicating conditions like:

• Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD): A hole in the wall separating the lower chambers of the heart

• Atrial Septal Defect (ASD): A hole between the upper heart chambers

• Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA): An open blood vessel that should normally close after birth

• Acquired Heart Conditions: Though rare in children, certain infections or diseases can affect heart function and cause murmurs.

The conditions that may impact heart function in children include:

• Rheumatic Fever: A complication of untreated strep throat that can damage heart valves

• Endocarditis: An infection of the heart’s inner lining

• Cardiomyopathy: A disease that affects the heart muscle’s ability to pump blood effectively

• Heart Valve Problems: Stenosis (narrowing of the valve) or regurgitation (valve leakage) can create abnormal blood flow and produce a murmur.

Children with pathologic murmurs may exhibit poor weight gain, fatigue during feeding or physical activity, shortness of breath, frequent chest infections, or bluish discolouration of the lips and fingertips. These symptoms and the murmur help doctors determine the need for further evaluation. Rainbow Children’s Hospital, one the best pediatric hospital in Hyderabad, is equipped with advanced diagnostics, including echocardiograms, ECGs, and chest X-rays, to accurately diagnose the underlying cause of a pathologic murmur. Our expert pediatric cardiology team works with families to create a customized treatment plan, which may include medications, lifestyle adjustments, or, in some cases, surgery.

When Should You Be Concerned?

While most murmurs are harmless, there are a few signs that may point to an underlying issue:

• Difficulty in breathing, especially during feeding or physical activity

• Poor weight gain or growth delays

• Getting tired easily

• Frequent chest infections

• Bluish lips or fingertips (cyanosis)

• Swelling in the legs or abdomen

If any of these above symptoms are present along with a murmur, see a pediatric cardiologist in Hyderabad immediately for further tests.

How Are Heart Murmurs Diagnosed and Managed?

At Rainbow Children’s Hospital, our team of pediatric cardiologists uses advanced, child-friendly diagnostic tools to get a clear picture of your child’s heart health. These may include:

• Echocardiogram (ECHO), an ultrasound of the heart to see the structure and function in real-time

• Electrocardiogram (ECG), which measures the heart’s electrical activity

• Chest X-ray to check the size and shape of the heart

• Pulse oximetry to assess oxygen levels in the blood

Your doctor will decide whether the murmur is innocent or needs further monitoring or treatment based on the results.

Talk To Our Experts

We understand that anything related to your child’s heart can feel overwhelming. But you are not alone. At Rainbow Children’s Hospital, we offer medical expertise and emotional support for your entire family. From accurate diagnosis to personalized care plans, our dedicated pediatric cardiology team ensures your child gets the best care in a warm, child-centric environment. A heart murmur is not always a red flag. In many children, it is simply a sound of a healthy heart at work. But it is wise to trust your instincts as a parent and seek a professional evaluation when something feels off. If you have recently been told that your child has a heart murmur, do not panic. Book an appointment with our pediatric cardiologists in Hyderabad at Rainbow Children’s Hospital for that assurance from the experts

FAQs:

1. When does my child need to see a pediatric cardiologist in Hyderabad?
   If your child shows symptoms like difficulty breathing, poor growth, bluish lips, or fatigue, especially along with a detected murmur, it’s best to consult a specialist for detailed screening.

2. Is it safe for a child with a murmur to play sports or be physically active?
   If the murmur is innocent, there are usually no restrictions. However, if it’s pathologic, your pediatric cardiologist in Hyderabad will guide you on what activities are safe based on your child’s condition.

3. What tests are done to diagnose a heart murmur?
   Specialists at Rainbow Hospitals may recommend tests like an echocardiogram (ECHO), ECG, chest X-ray, or pulse oximetry to assess heart structure and function. These are usually done by a trained pediatric cardiologist in Hyderabad.