The heart is the most important organ in the body. It is on its smooth operation that all processes in the human body depend. Therefore, any deviation in his work immediately causes concern and anxiety. The phrase "noises in the heart" sometimes scares people very much. But in fact, this is not always a cause for concern. Only a cardiologist can determine the causes of heart murmurs in a child, and only after ultrasound and ECG. Therefore, you should not panic ahead of time.
Heart murmurs can occur at any age and are fairly common. Statistics say that out of three babies (under the age of three), one is observed by a specialist with such a deviation. But do not immediately be afraid, this is not always a symptom of heart disease. In addition, the causes of heart murmurs in a child may be due to the fact that his body has not yet fully formed.
Types of heart murmurs
Heart murmurs are divided into two main types:
- organic - pathology is possible in the cardiovascular system;
- functional - there are no defects or serious defects in the heart and large vesselschanges.
Modern diagnostic technologies have proven that any noise always has one or another anatomical cause. Thus, it turns out that they are all organic in nature. And it is more correct to divide them into pathological and so-called innocent. The latter occur with minor anatomical features of the structure of the heart, which do not seriously affect the functioning of the organ and do not disturb blood flow. He althy children may be susceptible to this if anemia is present or during a period of active growth (first year of life, 4-6 years, transitional age 12-14 years), as well as in a number of other cases.
Such a phenomenon can occur suddenly, or they can diagnose heart murmurs in a child from birth. Reasons 7 years later may gradually come to naught - it happens. That is, after some time, all heart murmurs may stop on their own.
Innocent and pathological noises
Innocent includes murmurs due to extra chords located abnormally in the heart.
In addition, they may arise from:
- rapid growth of the child (the heart simply does not keep up with the rapid development);
- increased flexibility of the child (heart valves bend easily);
- low hemoglobin;
- anatomical features of the structure of internal organs;
- presence of a minor cardiac anomaly;
- infectious diseases are common causes of heart murmurs in children.
Pathological noisesaccompanied by symptoms such as cyanosis of the liver, cyanosis of the fingers and nails, rapid breathing.
Causes of heart murmurs in children under one year old
Such a phenomenon in such a crumb is always very scary for parents. And this is completely justified, since before a full examination there is no way to give the first forecast.
Causes of heart murmurs in children at this age can be very different. In most cases, this is due to the fact that the body passes from intrauterine circulation to normal, extrauterine. The arterial vessels of the fetus carry mixed blood. This is due to the peculiarities of the cardiovascular system.
Mixed blood formation
Three anatomical formations create mixed blood.
- Arterial (or Batalov) duct. It connects the aorta and the pulmonary trunkto each other. It usually stops working after about two weeks, but in some cases it continues to function for up to two months. If EchoCG showed that after this period the duct continues to function, then this is evidence of the presence of a congenital heart disease.
- The oval window is located in the interatrial septum. After the first month, it should close, as the pressure in the left atrium increases. However, if this does not happen, then do not worry. Its closure can occur even two years after birth. An open foramen ovale can rarely lead to hemodynamic disturbances. Heart murmurs due to uncoveredoval window is considered harmless.
- The venous duct connects the portal vein and the inferior vena cava. This duct disappears some time after birth, transforming into a connective tissue cord. This is due to the collapse of its walls. With extrauterine development, it is extremely rare, which excludes it as a cause of congenital heart disease.
First ECG
The first ECG for a baby is done after the first month of life. This makes it possible to differentiate heart murmurs. In case of suspicion of a serious pathology, they are sent for echocardiography.
In general, doctors quite often, when examined in the first month of life, say that there are heart murmurs in a child. Reasons, Komarovsky E. O. states that they may be missing. This is quite normal for a baby of this age.
By excluding the innocent noises of the open oval window, you can focus on the pathological ones. They carry a serious danger. May take place:
- Pulmonary stenosis.
- Open ductus arteriosus.
- Ventricular septal defect.
- Coarctation of the aorta and other heart defects.
All these diseases have severe symptoms, which makes it possible to diagnose them in the first month of life. If the defect has a pronounced degree, then treatment is possible only surgically.
Noises in two years
Causes of heart murmurs in a 2-year-old child in most cases are due to a past illness. Functional do not representserious danger and are extremely rare. But still, when they occur, it is worth doing an ECG to make sure that these were not heart murmurs in the child. Causes that have haunted a child for 10 years may disappear as the body continues to develop.
Up to about 10-12 years old, a child's pulmonary artery is wider than the aorta. After some time, their gaps become the same, and puberty establishes an inverse relationship.
At 10 years of age, heart murmurs have the same symptoms as the clinical manifestations of heart disease. It is necessary to pay attention to the possible complaints of children about pain in the heart, interruptions in its work, possible fainting.
Anatomical and physiological features of the children's cardiovascular system
The second week of intrauterine development is associated with the laying of the heart: after a while, two independent heart rudiments are connected into a single tube, which is located in the cervical region. The placental circulation begins to be established at the end of the second month of pregnancy and is maintained until the baby is born.
As mentioned earlier, the fetal cardiovascular system has three formations: the arterial and venous duct and the foramen ovale. They are needed to drain excess blood. Thus, the heart is helped, as there is no breathing and the pressure is low.
Blood flow does not mix completely in the right atrium. This is due to the fact that the blood, passing through the inferior vena cava,passes into the left atrium through the foramen ovale, and from there into the left ventricle. At the same time, blood from the superior vena cava flows in the opposite direction: into the right ventricle through the right atrium.
After being born, the baby expands the lungs and fills them with blood, while the fetal blood passages are closed. From that moment, the child has extrauterine circulation, which means that the small and large circles of blood circulation are now functioning. The valve of the oval window closes due to an increase in pressure in the left atrium (this is due to the flow of a large amount of blood). The arterial duct closes under the influence of nerve, torsion and muscle factors.
Care for the future
In order not to worry that there may be any causes of a heart murmur in a child, all pregnant women need to take care of the he alth of their child at the very beginning of pregnancy. It is worth giving up smoking and alcohol. It is desirable for a pregnant woman to monitor her he alth, to receive all the necessary vitamins. A he althy and nutritious diet, as well as walks in the fresh air, perfectly contribute to this.
In 90% of cases, heart disease can still be diagnosed in utero. At the birth of a baby, they immediately examine and listen to his heart. If necessary, an additional examination is carried out in the near future to identify congenital pathologies.
The causes of heart murmurs in a child must be identified at first. Doctors do not advise skipping scheduled examinations. In timean ultrasound of the heart and abdominal organs may indicate a heart murmur in a child. It is easier to start eliminating the reasons immediately than to delay this process.
Important trip to the cardiologist
The causes of heart murmurs in children are always better to check with a specialist cardiologist. An examination with him will either rule out a serious pathology, or the doctor will prescribe the necessary course of treatment. By observing a cardiologist and following his instructions, after a while the child will be able to get rid of noises.
In addition, it is important to constantly monitor the baby. A number of serious, dangerous symptoms can alert: frequent colds, shortness of breath, developmental delay, shortness of breath, cyanosis of the skin (nasolabial triangle), etc. Never refuse serious treatment. Surgery can prevent adverse effects.
Helping a child
Fortunately, as a child grows older, the murmurs in the heart of a child, the reasons for this, disappear. It is necessary for the child to always provide the correct regimen, good nutrition (especially the child needs proteins) and sufficient sleep. Fresh vegetables and fruits must also be included in the diet.
The cardiologist at the appointment should explain what degree of physical activity is right for your child. You can not deprive the child of movement, it always gives vitality. Moderate exercise will train the body and heart.
If there is a heart defect, it is best not to postpone the operation. The sooner you can helpchild, the sooner he will recover. However, surgery is only necessary in severe cases. If the disease is mild, then it is quite possible that drug therapy will be sufficient.
