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Original poster

heart murmur in 13week

14 replies

amoney · 06/05/2011 10:29

Hi all
wondering if anyone has any experience of the following or words of wisdom for a very worried first time mum...
Whilst at GP surgery yesterday was told my 13 week old son has a heart murmur, wouldn't really elaborate (told us not to worry - hah!) but referred us to the paediatrician at the hospital. Baby is generally well, happy & alert but is only on 2nd centile for weight. Resisting the urge to google this but just wondered if any other parent had experience they wanted to share?
thanks x

OP posts:
ClaraRenee · 06/05/2011 10:42

MY DD had a heart murmur picked up at 2 years old. We were referred to a cardiologist, she had an echo and ECG, and nothing was found. Her heart is normal and they call this an innocent heart murmur. I know 2 other children with a heart murmur, both have been checked out and both have innocent murmurs. It is quite common so try not to worry, I was worried for the period of time waiting for her cardiology appt. I was told not to worry by GP, but its easier said than done! Being only 13 weeks old, if he has no other symtoms don't worry, but if he does go blue or vomit I'd take him back immediately. Heart murmurs are common, hopefully, you won't have to wait long. Good luck!

sailorsgal · 06/05/2011 10:46

Hi, this happened to us too. When we saw the specialist it wasn't there anymore. I was worried sick at the time so I do understand. Ds is a very feisty and energetic four year old now. How long do you have to wait till you see someone?

Milngavie · 06/05/2011 10:49

My DS2 was diagnosed with a heart murmer at 2 days old. We saw the cardiologist that day, at 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months and then annually until he was 5. Most murmers are innocent but in our case the echo showed a hole in the wall between the two ventricles (lower chambers), I could hear it if I listened at his back, a sort of lub-dub-swoosh.

We were told if it didn't resolve by the time he was 8 surgery would be needed but it was 99% gone by the time he was 4 and at his appointment when he was 5 there was nothing to be heard and he was discharged. This is the case with the majority.

I'm not trying to worry you, just tell you what happened to DS. He's 11 now and very healthy.

ClaraRenee · 06/05/2011 10:49

There is a good leaflet on British Heart Foundation website called Factfile:cardiac murmurs in children. It says 80% of children will have a heart murmur at some point. Read this leaflet but I wouldn't recommend a general search in google.

Original poster
amoney · 06/05/2011 10:53

Thanks for your replies, i'll have a read of that leaflet but will resist a google search! Hopefully ee'll get our appointment soon but GP did say it could be a couple of weeks. Thanks again

OP posts:
chrisrobin · 06/05/2011 11:03

I was born with a heart murmur, quite an obvious one aparently. I used to have ECGs yearly until I turned 8, at that age they decided it was just the normal rhythm for me. Most children grow out of them from what I gather. I didn't grow out of it- its still there- but I'm in my 30s and have had no ill efects from it other than needing antibiotics when I had dental work and when I gave birth.

RachelHRD · 06/05/2011 11:47

Is he poorly at the moment? It is possible for children to develop a murmur whilst poorly which disappears when they are well. My DD's cardiologist mentioned this to us and said it's why it should always be checked again when they are well.

My DD was born with a heart murmur which turned out to be 2 holes in the heart and a narrowed valve - but they had all corrected themselves by the time she was 6 months old. So try not to worry (easier said...) as even when it seems worst case scenario it isn't necessarily long term.

R x

Original poster
amoney · 06/05/2011 12:05

Thanks for these replies. Yes he is poorly at the moment in that since his 8 weeks jabs he has had diarrohea which we are trying to get to the bottom off (if you'll excuse the pun) and he seems a little chesty at times. I'm glad those with murmurs seem fine now, that is definitely encouraging to hear...

OP posts:
LonelyLinda · 06/05/2011 15:23

My DS who is 2yo was diagnosed with a heart murmur last week, we are awaiting an appointment with the peadiatric cardiologist. I have been very reassured on here by the kind people taking the time to explain about innocent heart murmurs as I too haven't been crazy enough to google it, my son did have a virus prior to the diagnosis so I am hoping that it is just from that and will have gone away. My appointment is four weeks away which is a shame it's not sooner. I feel tempted to go back to the gp to have it checked again.

Ebb · 09/05/2011 13:36

Ds had a heart murmur picked up at 9mths when I'd taken him to the Doctors with a cough. The Doctor told us to come back 2wks later to recheck it as it is common for heart murmurs to be heard during illness. Ds's murmur was still there so we were referred to a Cardiologist. I was fully expecting to be told he was fine Blush so was a bit shocked when the Consultant said he had an aortic stenosis. The Consultant explained he would eventually need a procedure to stretch the valve to allow the blood to flow better/properly but couldn't say when he'll need it. Eventually he will need the valve replaced.

Ds is 3 next week and we saw the Consultant last week and there is no change in the valve since his 9mth check so we've been signed off for another year unless he starts getting symptoms.

The waiting is worrying. That's perfectly understandable and normal. We did huge amounts of googling about Ds's condition and I asked lots of questions here. In the grand scheme of heart conditions, Ds's is fairly mild compared with some children. He's very active and you'd never know he had a problem. It's amazing what they can do now to correct problems.

I hope your Ds turns out to have an innocent murmur and you can relax again but at least if there is a problem, then it's been discovered early and it can be monitored.

DeWe · 09/05/2011 15:35

Ds had a heart murmur found at 5 weeks when he was taken to GP with an unrelated issue. We saw the heart clinic about a month later and it had cleared up by then.
A friend's 13yo has had one since birth. She's very active, does athletics and all sorts of games and is generally healthy. She goes for a check up once a year but otherwise I don't think it has ever bothered her.

Original poster
amoney · 10/05/2011 14:28

Thanks everyone, it is reassuring to know that even if it isn't an innocent murmur then plenty of babies / children are living normal lives with them... Just want the referral now so that we can find out and start to deal with it. Cheers agsin everyone, lots of good replies xx

OP posts:
alypaly · 11/05/2011 19:06

dont worry.....i have had one for 55 years and im still going. If its ''innocent''...there is no need to worry.

alypaly · 11/05/2011 19:06

Eldest son has one too!!!!!

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