Heart Murmur

[denise]

DD had her 9 month checkup today and the doc found a heart murmur. I know that these can be totally fine and cause no problems, but she wants a ped. cardiologist to check it out just to make sure. She said she and her collegues don't normally see a murmur in kids DD's age, they are normally a bit older. I am not in worry-mode, yet. I know that this could be an innocent murmur with no other effects, but still a bit anxious about it. We see the cardiologist on Feb 18 and go from there. I just could use reassurance that this will just be an innocent murmur and that's it. I figured some of you would have had experience with this and could also give me some things to ask the doc about. Thanks!

Ariana-born 5/3/03 at 35 weeks due to HELLP Syndrome

[julie f]

Denise,

A friend's daughter had a heart murmur that was detected at 4 months. They told her the same thing, that murmurs are not all that uncommon but, they do not usually occur so young. She was sent to a cradiologist as well and I am happy to report that she was given a clean bill of health! The doctor said it was indeed an "innocent murmur!"

I pray that you receive great news at your appt as well. Please keep us updated!

Julie (26)
Zachary James, 7/22/03-7/27/03, born at 26wks - severe pe

Southern California Chapter President

[deerhart]

Hopefully all will go well! Murmurs are fairly common and innocent ones do not seem to compromise health (as my dad has had one for as long as he can remember)

Erin


Moderator - First Time Moms, Parents of Preemies
Interm Chapter President - St. Louis/Missouri
Mommy to Alex and Mason

[mada]

Hi Denise,
I have a heart murmur and have had one forever too. The only thing I have to do about it (really the only time I think about it) is when I go to the dentist, I have to take some amoxicillan,.....that's it. So, I hope it's nothing. I also know that A lot of times they just go away too!! Let us know how everything goes!!

Mada Harpster

Sam 6-29-00 36weeks P.E.
Ben 11-03-01 No P.E.

[akemt]

I have a heart murmur too...they can normally only hear it when I'm sick. It's great that they're sending your daughter to a cardiologist. Many murmurs do go away, and many are "innocent" like the others said. Like Mada, I take antibiotics whenever I have dentistry work done but just learned durring my pregnancy that only one type of murmur requires antibiotics and I have never been tested to see if that is the type I have. That's my reason for saying it's great she's beeing seen by a specialist...hope it turns out great.

Catherine (22), Moderator (pregnant again)
DH Britton (27)
Emma Margaret (03/02/03) 37 weeks from PIH & oligo
Baby #2 due August 11, 2004

[paljane8]

Denise,

I am glad you are trying not to worry-but, you know how it is always in the back of your mind.....

I hope it goes well on the 18th and it turns out to be nothing. Let us know, ok?

BTW, Ariana and Janie are 9 day apart [:D]-yay for May!

Nancy Eastwood
Moderator/WA State Co-Coordinator

ds-8yrs, dd-7yrs
Scott-4yrs (PE)
Janie-5/12/03 (PIH, oligo and low blood flow)
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/4/4lbs/

[kim]

I was told the opposite... That many babies get heart murmurs, but most go away by the time they are 6 months old?!!? I would venture to say that it may be a PDA. All babies are born with PDAs (a tiny hole in the heart that usually closes a few hours after birth), but a lot of premature (even as late as 37 weeks)take longer for that hole to close. Our pedi first heard Ainsley's heart murmur when she was 8 weeks old, and we took her to a pedi cardiologist.

She had the PDA, an ASD (hole between the atriums) and the valve that went to her lungs was sluggish. The really good news is, that at one year, her PDA and sluggish valve had completely healed, and her ASD was almost completely closed.

I completely freaked out about Ainsley's heart, but our pedi cardiologist said that babies with MAJOR heart problems do not gain weight, they work so hard to eat that they break out in a sweat and are usually pretty lethargic. That always kept me from worrying.

Take care, I'm not a doc, just a mom who has been down that road!!


Kim Schwintz
Texas Chapter President

Ainsley Kathryn 11/26/02-36 Weeks Preeclampsia
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/ainsleyk/

[denise]

THanks everyone! I guess the worry that I have is normal for any mother and I know not to really worry until I'm told to do so.[:)]I will let you know how DD's appt goes.[:D]

Ariana-born 5/3/03 at 35 weeks due to HELLP Syndrome
http://hometown.aol.com/scrapperlang/Home.htm

[paljane8]

Denise-Ariana is a cutie patootie! It is amazing to watch her grow and change! Nice job on the website.

Nancy Eastwood
Moderator/WA State Co-Coordinator

ds-8yrs, dd-7yrs
Scott-4yrs (PE)
Janie-5/12/03 (PIH, oligo and low blood flow)
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/4/4lbs/

[jenny]

We just found out that my son, who is 4 weeks old, has a murmer too. It is very worrying, but I hope we all get a clean bill of health for our angels. He is being evaluated by a cardiologist as well. They called his a flow murmer, not sure if that is any different than a regular murmer , or not?

Jenny(30)
Mommy to Zarse (fullterm)
Holly(fullterm)
and Christian (born at 34+ weeks due to severe P.E.)