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Original poster

Heart murmers in children

35 replies

triplets · 25/01/2006 21:41

Hi,
One of my trio went to see a paediatrician today as a blood test shows he is anaemic. He talked about his general health then examined him. He was a long time listening to his heart, then told us he has a murmer and wants him to be seen by a cardiologist and to have an echo. I have just gone into panic mode as some of you will know that my first child collapsed and died suddenly and no medical explanation was ever found. He said the murmer could be one of three reasons and for the life of me I don`t know what he said for the first one, the second was that anaemia could cause it, and the third a valve problem. Please reassure me, tell me not to panic.

OP posts:
Tipex · 25/01/2006 21:49

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rummum · 25/01/2006 21:51

OHH triplets... you must be worried sick.
DD had a heart murmer and it dissapeared on its own.. She was also anaemic for a long time... I didn't know the two were linked...

I'm sure some one else will be along soon with more expert knowleged...

misdee · 25/01/2006 21:53

dd2 has a heart murmur, like you, when it was picked up i paniked slightly (dh has serious heart condition), dd2 was sent for an echo, she has a soft stistolic murmur and nothing else wrong.

you just need to hold on tight till the appointment. we were offered a choice of going to the childrens unit at harefield for an echo, or waiting for the team to visit the hospital here.

Tipex · 25/01/2006 21:55

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

foxinsocks · 25/01/2006 21:58

poor you triplets

I think you can have murmurs that have no health consequence but I can't remember what they are called - think normally they are called innocent or functional (and I think this may be the one that is linked with anaemia). I think other causes can be congenital but I'm absolutely no expert and this is only based on an echo I had many many years ago.

foxinsocks · 25/01/2006 21:59

gawd, it took me so long to post that Tipex managed to say it all so much better than me!

Original poster
triplets · 25/01/2006 21:59

Hi,
I know I shouldnt panic, but my stomach is in knots, and I have found myself watching him like a hawk. He has also gone to bed tonight with a temperature and was in a bad mood with me because I wouldnt let him have chocolate before he went to bed. I get soooooo frustrated trying to feed them, they all like different things, ie Rebecca will eat chicken, hates all potatoes, most veg and eggs. James eats potatoes and veg but hates al meat and eggs and cheese, and Thomas the one in question eats potatoes, some veg, cheese and eggs. They eat rice and pasta but with nothing in it or on it! I never had a problem with Matthew, so find it very frustrating, as we do I think eat well, I like my meat and veg, love fish, they wont eat fresh fish. James will only eat peeled apples, Becca eats fruit and Thomas wont touch it! If only I didnt worry so much, but after losing Matthew I just dont cope I guess.

OP posts:
misdee · 25/01/2006 22:01

you can cope, and you will.

these thing just shock you, and are amde to make us worry as parents.

pebblemum · 25/01/2006 22:02

They discovered my DS1 had a heart murmur when he was 1 day old, and I panicked thinking the worst (my excuse is I'd just spent 22hrs in labour and was a bit tired) Once the doctor explained that ds1 wasnt in any danger i relaxed, he has had several check up through out the years but he is fine, he has an 'innocent murmur'.

I know how terrifying it is when you find something is wrong with your child and it always seem forever until the next appointment. All I can say is hold on on there and I hope you receive the news you want. [big hug]

Tipex · 25/01/2006 22:04

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chapsmum · 25/01/2006 22:04

I think regardless of what I tell you you will worry, I would if I'd been through what you had. but I HTH
Bood flowing through the heart should be silent, a murmor is caused by a noise, this can be caused by a blood prob, ie anaemia or a stuctural disorder, a hole in the heart or o congenital heart formation. One of the check done before your bub left the hospital was to have his heart listened to so the murmor must either be very very faint or have recently developed as a result of the anaemia. Naturally as a fotus develops they do have a hole betwwn the enty and exit chamber to the heart, this usually closes before birth. some children are born with v tiny holes that can (but not always be) heard as a murmor. These usually dissapear with time.
The congenital abnormality is less likely as you would hope that they would have picked up the signs at birth.
My sisters ds had murmor which resolved of its own accord.
It is great that you will be referred for an echo, so your not wondering what if.
Is his development otherwise normal?

foxinsocks · 25/01/2006 22:05

honestly triplets, I think feeding 3 children different things every meal would stress any parent out so don't do yourself down.

I hope your echo appointment comes through soon so you don't have to worry for too long.

chapsmum · 25/01/2006 22:06

fotos, I really should check my typing?!!!
Agree with tipex. Sleep on it tonight and if you still anxous a wee chat with you GP might help, its what their there for.

deenewyearward · 25/01/2006 22:07

Again, just repeating waht has been said on here. Ds2 was diagnosed with an innocent heart murmur when he was about 18mths, he is now 2.10 and absolutely fine

Potty1 · 25/01/2006 22:16

Triplets - not surprised that you're panicking considering the history - and that's one of the reasons the paed is sensibly sending him for an echo. How old is he?

I'm sorry to hear about your first child - I think I read a post before about your him. Do they believe that he had an electrical problem with his heart (this is something that isn't detectable at post mortem)?

If your little boy is otherwise well, try not to worry too much.....I know you will though so I hope you get your echo appointment really soon. Where will you be going for it?

Original poster
triplets · 25/01/2006 22:19

Thank you all. Well they measured and weighed Thomas and he said his height is fine but he is underweight for his age and height. He weighs 4stone 3, they all weigh roughly the same. He runs everywhere and food to him is fuel. I have a leaking mitral valve and I am awaiting an appointment my self to be seen again by a cardiologist as two weeks ago tonight I had very bad palpatations and a panic attack and was taken by ambulance to hospital! After Matthew died we were routinely screened and that when they discovered it. I have an echo every three years but the doctors said he would request one sooner and get my valve checked! Thomas ,James,Rebecca are from donated eggs, so they won`t have inherited any problem of mine.

OP posts:
Original poster
triplets · 25/01/2006 22:23

Potty,
They are 8 on Frid! With Matthew there was no evidence ever found except that he too had a leaking mitral valve. He was a very healthy boy, almost 15, never had time off of school. He collapsed in my garden and they said he was gone before he hit the floor. Its still so unbelievable, I just don`t know how I have survived it all, its been 11 years now, and days like today just bring it all back.

OP posts:
Tipex · 25/01/2006 22:27

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chapsmum · 25/01/2006 22:27

No wonder your stressed! I am sure everything will be fine. triplets... I can bearly cope with getting one ds to eat right. Well done!
You have a v on the ball GP who has seen the potential stess this could cause and is doing what he can to fix it. I am sure ds will be fine. anaemia is completely treatable.
Am sending you good vibes and hugs, please let us know how you get on.

Original poster
triplets · 25/01/2006 22:33

Hi,
No, not connected with Cry, but am with SADS, a group that deals with sudden death, get alot of info from them, I still keep in touch with The Compassionate Friends Group, we are all bereaved parents, still need to know they are there even though my life is very full once again. Its so hard though, so miss Matthew and my old life, love these three to bits, but feel I dont enjoy them as much as I did Matthew as I worry if they sneeze, get very tired being so very much older, grumpy husband who is even older!!! No, hes very good, but it has taken its toll on us as a couple, we do have alot of stress, but then we are not the only ones are we?

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Potty1 · 25/01/2006 22:35

I can't imagine how hard it is for you triplets.

dd has significant heart problems involving her left coronary and three valves among other issues. Your experience with your eldest is my very worst & real fear (obviously). I'm so sorry.

I hope you get your appointment soon and it can put your mind at rest. If they were checked when Matthew died then at least you know that it isn't a congenital structural problem - if it's a leak that has developed it can be well-monitored.

Take care

Original poster
triplets · 25/01/2006 22:41

Thanks Potty,
So sorry to hear of your worries too, I am worrying before I know anything!You have all been brill as you all always are, what would I do without the support I always get on here. Thank you all, I`m off to bed, birthday cakes to be made tomorrow! Goodnight xx

OP posts:
Potty1 · 25/01/2006 22:44

Night triplets.

kreamkrackers · 26/01/2006 15:14

hi triplets. my dd has a very complex cardiac condition. the heart murmour at this age is probably nothing to worry about, in one of the cardiac books it says many children have heart murmours and if no surgery is done by the age of five then they'll probably never require surgery for the heart murmour. i hope it's nothing to worry about. you really do need to try to relax, better said than done with triplets though i bet.

macwoozy · 26/01/2006 15:28

Hi triplets, it's totally understandable that you're very anxious about your ds especially considering the tragic way you lost your son. But please do bear in mind that heart murmurs in children doesn't necessarily point to anything more sinister, in fact I've heard that children can actually grow out of them. But like I said I can really understand your concern, and I know how nerve racking it can be waiting for an appt. Do you have to wait long?