Heart Murmur in 4 month old?

[lucy08]

Had my daughter''s 4 month appt. yesterday and was told she has a heart murmur that we''re going to watch for. She is otherwise doing great - 70% percentile weight, 90% height. I''m a worrier by nature and am concerned anyway though... Has anyone else''s child had this? I''ve done a bit of online research and it seems like it''s fairly common?

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Lucy so sorry to hear the news, but I''m glad they caught it early. My niece had a heart murmur as an infant and it resolved itself as she grew.

 

[MustangGal]

A good friend''s baby has a heart murmur, I think they caught it when she was a few months old also. All they''ve had to do it take her to see a pediatric cardiologist every few months to have it checked out. I guess it''s pretty common, and they normally grow out of it. The little girl will be 2 next month and is still being seen for it, I don''t remember what age they said it would probably be gone by. I know the only issue they''ve had is that the cardioligst is creepy

.

 

[jas]

One of mine had it. It healed itself. I know it''s hard not to worry...we actually were recommended to a specialist. We got a (very expensive) "don''t worry about it."

 

[OUpearlgirl]

My mom, aunt, and sister all have them. For my mom and oldest sister it doesn''t affect daily life in any way. I know that it''s something all of their doctors are aware of (dentist, physician, etc) but it''s never been a problem. My aunt takes a prescription medicine every day, but otherwise is fine.

In most cases they heal on their own, but they are not nearly as worrisome as you may think!

 

[Clio]

My son had two, which were detected right after he was born. He had a hole in his heart and also a patent ductus arteriosis, which is a hole between the aorta and the pulmonary artery.

The hole in his heart healed on its own at some point during his first year. The PDA never closed on its own, so he had a procedure to fix it when he was 3.

He was and continues to be super healthy, and other than regular checkups with the cardiologist, he didn''t require much special treatment. We did need to get him antibiotics at the first sign of an infection and before any dental checkups.

Now that his PDA is fixed, he doesn''t even need to do that. One of the happiest days of my life was when he was "dismissed" as cardiology patient.

 

[lucy08]

Thanks everyone for your replies.. Hopefully we''ll get a quick resolution at her 6 mth. appt.

 

[Maisie]

My son has a heart murmur. It was really loud when he was a baby but now its just a gentle whoosh. The doctor thought he might need surgery but I''m glad to say the hole is getting smaller the older he gets.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

Murmurs are very common in babies under one. A majority of them are nothing to be concerned about and will go away on their own. I would just continue regular follow up with your doctor.

 

[Kaleigh]

I had one as a baby it healed on it's own. I think they are pretty common these days, but hope your LO clears up on it's own as well. I know all things heart related are scary. Let us know how your baby does!!! Hugs to YOU Mom!!!

 

[HOUMedGal]

Murmurs are really quite common, and most of them are completely benign. They can be caused by a number of different things, and one of the most common things that causes them is simply the flow of blood through the heart and major blood vessels (i.e. there is no hole in the heart, no PDA, no valve problem, etc....just normal blood flow!) If the baby is doing well otherwise (good growth and not having any other symptoms) then it''s standard practice to just watch it. It may still be there at her 6 month appointment and even into the more distant future, but as long as she''s doing well like she is now, then you''re good!

 

[lucy08]

Feeling much better and reassured. Thank you for your posts! My little girl seems so healthy in every other way which is why this came as such a shock. Sounds like it''s more common than I thought...