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Heart murmurs in well newborn babies
What is a heart murmur?
This is a quiet noise that the doctor can
hear when he listens to the chest. It
comes from blood passing through the
heart or blood vessels. It sounds like
water rushing down a stream. Most
babies with a murmur have normal hearts
and blood vessels.
What is a heart scan?
A heart scan uses sound waves
(ultrasound) to make a picture. Jelly is put
on the chest. A probe is placed on the
skin. It is the same type of scan as in
pregnancy. It is easy to do. It doesn't use
x-rays. It is often done within a few
weeks.
What can cause a heart murmur?
Most babies with a murmur have a
normal heart and blood vessels.
Sometimes a murmur is due to a 'duct'.
The duct connects two large blood
vessels near the heart. It is present in all
babies before birth. In most babies it
closes within 2 days after birth. In a few
babies it stays open and causes a
murmur. Very rarely a murmur is due to a
defect. This can be a hole, or an
abnormal valve or blood vessel.
What do I need to watch out for?
Most babies with a heart murmur stay
well and put on weight. Very rarely a baby
will become unwell a few days or weeks
after birth. These babies must be seen at
the hospital straight away. There are a
few things to look out for. The lips may
become blue. They may breathe more
quickly. They may be hard to feed. They
may take a long time to feed. They may
sweat a lot during feeds. They may not
put on much weight.
What needs to be done?
Most babies with a murmur have a
normal heart and blood vessels. Nothing
needs to be done. Some babies with
louder murmurs have a check up. This
will be at the hospital in a few weeks. The
murmur has often gone by then. If the
doctor thinks there may be a defect then
tests are done. Often a chest x-ray and
ECG are done. Sometimes a heart scan.
Most of the tests we do are normal. If
your baby is seen by any other doctors
tell them about the heart murmur.
You can get further information
from:
King’s Mill Hospital
Patient Advice and liaison Services
(PALS) on 01623 672222
Newark Hospital
Patient Advice and Liaison
Services
(PALS) on 01623 685692
Leaflet code: PIPAED007
Version: V3
Issued: May 2006
Review Date: May 2009
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