Evaluation and Management of Heart Murmurs in Children

• Published in: American family physician Vol. 84; no. 7; pp. 793 - 800
• Main Authors: Frank, Jennifer E., MD, Jacobe, Kathryn M., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Academy of Family Physicians 01.10.2011
• Subjects: Adolescent; Age; Asthma; Asymptomatic; Births; Blood pressure; Cardiology; Cardiomyopathy; Cardiovascular disease; Child; Child, Preschool; Children & youth; Childrens health; Congenital diseases; Coronary vessels; Dyspnea; Failure to thrive; Families & family life; Family medical history; Genetic disorders; Heart Auscultation; Heart failure; Heart Murmurs - diagnosis; Heart Murmurs - epidemiology; Heart Murmurs - etiology; Heart Murmurs - therapy; Humans; Hypoxia; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infections; Internal Medicine; Marfan syndrome; Mitral valve prolapse; Newborn babies; Pain; Pathology; Pediatrics; Physical Examination; Physical examinations; Physical fitness; Prevalence; Referral and Consultation; Ultrasonic imaging; Vital signs

Heart murmurs are common in healthy infants, children, and adolescents. Although most are not pathologic, a murmur may be the sole manifestation of serious heart disease. Historical elements that suggest pathology include family history of sudden cardiac death or congenital heart disease, in utero e...