P20SPD

iTrader: (1)

My eldest son, Tom, is just over 2 and 1/2 years old, and over the last week has been suffering badly with cold. So he has been to the doctors and given some antibiotics.

Now Tom appears a healthy lad, active, never sits and watches telly for more than 10 minutes or so, and has always been fine.

Heres the question that needs explaining in english please.

The doctors whilst checking Tom, has discovered in her opinion that he has a Heart Murmour(sp?) and has instigated a consultation with a specialist.

Have tried to get an explanation, but nothing leaves me feeling i know whats happening, caused it, etc.

From a very concerned Steven

Can someone please explain?

Mice_Elf

Steven,

Not to worry - your son could have been born with a slight heart murmur. My brother has one - has had it since birth and is not affected at all.

Occasionally if a more serious heart murmur then physical activity can be limited as the sufferer becomes breathless more quickly, but otherwise they can lead a healthy, normal life.

My brother even does sky diving, so it's not limiting.

Goochie

I suspect it's nothing to worry about. My brother in law has had one since birth and it's never stopped him from leading a perfectly normal, active life.

Old_Fart

Here is something I found on the net for you....



Q: Heart murmur in a 3 year old
Last week I took my daughter for her 3-year check and the doctor thought that she could hear a heart murmur. She has said it might be nothing, especially as my daughter had been crying in the waiting room. We have to go back in a month's time so that she can listen again but of course now I am very worried. How likely it is that there is a problem?
Rani


Dr Trisha Macnair responds




It is quite common for a young child such as your daughter to have what is known as an innocent heart murmur (also called physiological or functional heart murmurs) which is quite harmless. So it is unlikely that there is a problem, especially if your daughter is quite fit and well. However, murmurs due to disease or abnormalities can sometimes be picked up in small children so it is important that you do return to your doctor to have the murmur rechecked.

Murmurs are abnormal noises

A murmur is simply an abnormal noise coming from the heart. The heart usually makes very specific noises as it beats and contracts, due to blood moving from one chamber of the heart to another. If there are abnormalities of the heart, such as problems with the valves or an enlarged chamber, this can change the noises that the heart makes and a murmur is heard.

But other factors can also change the noises that the heart makes. One of the commonest of these murmur-inducing factors is anything which makes the heart beat faster and pump more blood, such as excitement or fear. These emotions make the heart beat faster and as it pumps more blood, so the increased blood flow is more likely to produce abnormal sounds (i.e. murmurs). Changes in heart rate can also make a murmur louder or softer. As children easily get excited or upset, so most have innocent heart murmurs at some point, and they can rapidly appear and disappear. If your daughter was upset about seeing the doctor for her 3 year check, this may have been enough to induce the murmur.

Innocent murmurs need no treatment

If your child has an innocent murmur, there is no need to worry or take any action. She doesn't have any heart disease, there is no risk to the child, she won't need any medicines for it, and she can live a perfectly normal life, doing every sport and activity. It's likely that the murmur will disappear completely as she grows.

Worrying murmurs need investigation

If your doctor is still worried by the murmur when you go back, your daughter may need some special tests to check her heart. These tests may include a painless scan called an echocardiogram, to check for holes in the heart or heart valve defects




Regards
Chuck

Old_Fart

And:

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/refcap/552685.html

Sorry no clicky.
Chuck

Spoon

It amazes me how you didn't ask the doctor/s and kept asking till you understood what they were saying.

Had it been an engine mod you'd have known the in and outs pretty quickly.

As others have said, it appears ok but ffs ask the doctors next time you see them.

Pretend the little lad is a turbo.

Good luck.

TopBanana

Spoon - only a cardiac physician would be able to tell him anything definitive

Old_Fart

Being a Dad is soo rewarding, but we've clocked up:
Broken arm
Acute appendicitis+peritonitis
Suspected deafness
Urinary infections
Tonsilitis
plus all the regular german measels, croup, etc etc
so far in our 7 year old.
The three year old hasn't missed a step though...wish I could get IM to extend her warranty though.
In all my years of car ownership I've only had one breakdown FFS! Damn chocolate internals on these kiddies.

Chuck

Redkop

Steven, my daughter was also found to have a slight heart murmur when she was 9 months old, I was told she was probably born with it. This hasn't affected her whatsoever throughout her life [she leads a very energetic/demanding one too].

One thing to note is.... that people with a heart murmur normally have to have a course of anti-biotics before having an anaesthetic.

Carter

Or any dental work.

brendy

I would'nt get excited just yet - may well be a flow mumour due to increased blood flow through the heart secondary to infection , in this case bad cold you have mentioned. Very common in children and when he is examined at outpatients by paediatricians it may well have disappeared.
At this point don't worry as the fact he is assymptomatic it is exceptionally unlikely to be significant although points about antibiotics and dental work or surgical procedures are correct.
Attend the outpatients with your son - waiting times in most areas for non-urgent cases less than six weeks and ask a few questions.
Hope this is of help
(Work as an A&E Senior Registrar)

Brendan Hughes

>>>Attend the outpatients with your son - waiting times in most areas for non-urgent cases less than six weeks

So when you attend outpatients, take along a couple of sleeping bags and a large supply of food...

P1Fanatic

Ive had one since about 6 or 7. Nothing you would notice and doesnt stop me doing anything although I do recall my doctor advised against extreme deep sea diving

Im quite interested about the losing breath more quickly as when play footy I do get breathless quite easily. Probably more down to being unfit though lol.

Simon.

Buzzer

Steve

I know whats going through your mind

This is so true. My son was diagnosed with a heart murmur when he was 2 years old. This is very very common and nothing you should overley be concerned about. I know it's hard not to be, but i assure you that the referal is purely precaution and the specialist needs to make sure.

My son is now 10 years old, loves football. He plays for his school, his club and now represents his town as centre forward.

If you want to speak to me offline then mail me as per profile. Just keep your **** together and remember that anyone and everyone will be looking to you to be the rock. I swear mate, your boy will be fine

Pete

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Our little Chiwauwau dog was diagnose at seven with one, he lived a full life until 16 when other matters (bowel trouble) made him impossible to live with, still shredding the post till the end, doctors make these judgements and ont really prepare you for the anguish they cause, its almost like they are telling you that your car needs a cambelt. I reckon he will be fine and if you are still worried pay for a consultation with a Cariologist who will really know the score and I suspect he will say that his heart hasnt fully developed.

P20SPD

iTrader: (1)

Cheers for all he replies guys and girls.

Just to clarify, should have made it clear, i was at work, and my wife took Tom to the Docs, and then rang me. The explanations i received were from Emma. Not helpfull i know, bu i tried ringing he doctors and got a reply along he lines of "they are busy".

Assumed there would be some of you guys that have come across this 1st hand or 2nd hand and would be able to explain.

I have a good friend who is a GP, bu alas, he was busy, so could no resolve my query.

It is concerning for me, as i personally have had quite a lot of health problems over my life, so much so, i cant get health cover or income protection!!

I had hoped, and believed, that my 2 sons would inherit their mothers well being background, so something like this, just rocks you on your heels a little, IYKWIM.

Trust me, i am intelligent enough to understand a lot of things, i just prefer if they are put in plain english, which some professionals find difficult to do so.

Steven