This is an automatically translated article.
The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Vu Thi Tuyet Mai - Cardiovascular Center - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
Children with heart murmurs are usually benign murmurs that may go away as they grow older. However, a heart murmur is also a warning sign of heart disease.
1. Heart murmur
A normal heart sound consists of two sounds, produced by the opening and closing of the heart valves. But if there are blood flow points in the heart that are disturbed, the blood flow is accelerated suddenly, creating murmurs like edema or puffing sounds. Usually the doctor will use a stethoscope to hear these sounds more clearly.Heart murmurs can be present at birth (congenital heart disease) or develop later. A heart murmur is not a disease but a sign of a disease.
Some benign heart murmurs do not require treatment, but most heart murmurs need to be examined and tested to make sure they are not caused by serious underlying conditions. dangerous.
2. Symptoms
If the doctor determines that the murmur is a benign murmur that is not causing any harmful effects, the child will not have any other signs or symptoms.Unusual murmurs may not be accompanied by obvious signs and symptoms. But if the child is accompanied by one or more of the following signs, the murmur is most likely due to an organic cardiovascular disease:
Blue-violet skin color, especially on the fingertips and lips Edema or unusual weight gain Difficulty breathing Persistent cough Enlarged liver or severe pressure in the right lower quadrant Varicose veins in the neck Anorexia, loss of appetite, and growth retardation (in young children) Sweating on exertion or even without exertion Chest pain Dizziness Fainting
3. Cause
Tiếng thổi bất thường ở trẻ em phần lớn bắt nguồn từ bệnh tim bẩm sinh
3.1 Causes of benign murmurs A rapid flow of blood in a normal heart can also cause an innocent murmur. Those conditions include:
Excessive physical activity or exercise Fever A condition where there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry enough oxygen to the body's tissues (anemia) Excessive increase in thyroid hormones in the blood (hyperthyroidism) During periods of rapid growth, such as puberty 3.2 Causes of abnormal murmurs Abnormal murmurs in children are largely caused by congenital heart disease . Common congenital heart diseases are:
One or more holes in the heart or abnormal blood flow: Abnormal holes in the heart are usually located in the wall separating the chambers of the heart. Whether these holes are dangerous depends on their location and size. Abnormal blood flow between the chambers of the heart or between the major blood vessels of the heart also causes an abnormal heart murmur. Heart valve abnormalities: Congenital heart valve diseases appear from birth, but children do not always have symptoms and the disease is only discovered when the child grows up. For example, the valves of the heart do not open properly, making it difficult for blood to flow through the valve (valvular stenosis) or the valves do not close properly, causing a leak of blood (valvular disease). Other causes that are more common in older children include infections and diseases that damage the structures of the heart. For example:
Calcification of the heart valves: As we age, the heart valves can also become thickened and stiff, causing mitral stenosis and aortic stenosis. These valves become smaller, making it difficult for blood to pass through the valve and creating a murmur. Endocarditis (infective endocarditis): This occurs when bacteria infected from elsewhere in the body, such as the mouth, travel through the bloodstream and colonize the inner lining of the heart. of the heart. If not treated promptly and properly, endocarditis can damage and destroy the heart valves. Rheumatic heart disease: With the development of medicine and social life, the number of new people with rheumatic heart disease is now decreasing, but the number of adults with valvular heart disease due to rheumatic heart disease from previous years still remains. so many. If a child's rheumatic heart disease, which often begins with a sore throat, is not diagnosed and treated promptly, permanent heart valve damage can occur.
4. Risk factors
The risk factors that increase the likelihood of a child having a heart murmur are:Family history of heart disease: If the baby's parents or siblings have a heart defect, the child is more likely to have a heart defect as well. and abnormal murmur will increase. Other conditions such as: overactive thyroid, bacterial endocarditis (infective endocarditis), pulmonary hypertension, carcinoid syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, acute rheumatic fever, heart failure or a history of low fever may increase the risk that your child will have a heart murmur later in life. Maternal diseases during pregnancy. Certain diseases that the pregnant mother has, such as uncontrolled diabetes or rubella virus infection, increase the chance that the baby will be born with a heart murmur and have a congenital heart disease. Likes during pregnancy such as alcohol, drugs can harm the fetus, causing the fetus to have heart disease and have a heart murmur.
5. What to prepare when going to the doctor?
Không phải mọi tiếng thổi ở tim đều nguy hiểm nhưng nếu nghi ngờ trẻ có tiếng thổi ở tim thì nên đưa trẻ đi khám tim mạch để kiểm tra
Time to examine children often has a certain time, but mothers have many questions to answer. Therefore, in order for the medical examination to be effective, mothers should prepare some information before going to the doctor as follows:
Should fast because there are types of echocardiograms that need to be fasted for a few hours before the baby is born. when doing Write down any symptoms mothers feel, including those that they think have little to do with the child's illness Write down important personal information such as money family history of heart murmurs, arrhythmias, heart defects, coronary artery disease, genetic disorders, stroke, sudden death with hypertension or diabetes, and any other stresses or changes about the recent life you have been going through Write down a list of medicines : vitamins, supplements that mothers are giving their babies It is best to bring someone with you if possible : Sometimes we feel feel confused, worried about the information we receive but forget the important things that the doctor advises. Have a companion, be it a relative or friend, who will hopefully remember for you. If not, write down the main points the doctor discussed with you and ask the doctor if your understanding of your child's illness is correct. Write down questions to ask your doctor. The time for children's medical examination usually has a certain time, but mothers have many questions to answer, so be prepared for questions. Questions may include: What is the main cause of my child's heart murmur? Is there any other possibility? What tests do I need to have my child do? Do I need to prepare anything in advance for those tests? Is this child's illness temporary or long-term? What is the best treatment or follow-up? Is there any other treatment other than that? Do lifestyle changes help alleviate the child's illness? Does the child need to avoid anything in terms of diet or exercise? Does the child need to be re-examined? How often to re-examine? Can you recommend a book about this disease that I can read more about? Or any website I can refer to? Most children have a heart murmur, which is usually a benign murmur, but a heart murmur is also a warning of some cardiovascular diseases such as non-heart disease, congenital heart disease. birth,... Therefore, when there is a suspicion that the child has a heart murmur, or has any abnormal signs, the child should be taken to a medical facility for examination and timely intervention. Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consulting services. and comprehensive, professional medical treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.
Master - Doctor Vu Thi Tuyet Mai has over 13 years of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The doctor has participated in training courses at home and abroad at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City, NTUH National Taiwan University Hospital, The Prince Charles Hospital, Australia,..
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