Benign paediatric heart murmur

A benign paediatric heart murmur, also innocent heart murmur or innocent murmur, is an inconsequential sound that originate from the heart and/or cardiovascular system and is heard on cardiac auscultation. By definition, an innocent murmur is not significant in the long-term health of an individual that has it.

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Murmurs - innocent versus pathological

Characteristics of innocent murmurs are:

• Less than 3/6 in intensity, soft
• Often position-dependent (supine versus upright)
• Otherwise healthy individual, no concerns about growth
• Continuous (throughout cardiac cycle) or systolic (diastolic-only sounds are always pathologic)
• Normal S2 splitting (S2 splitting with inspiration)
• No palpable thrill (vibration of the chest due to abnormal heart movement/blood flow)

Prognosis

Innocent murmurs are inconsequential and usually disappear as the child grows. ECG and Chest XRAY are normal.

Types, description and DDx

LLSB = lower left sternal border

See also

• Heart murmur
• Precordial examination
• Ventricular septal defect