1001 Healthy Baby Answers: Pediatricians' Answers to All the Questions You Didn't Know to Ask by Gary C. Morchower

Author:Gary C. Morchower [Morchower, Gary C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Family & Relationships, Infants & Toddlers, Parenting, Life Stages, Health & Fitness, Medical, Child Rearing, Diseases, Children's Health, Pediatrics
ISBN: 9781402211782
Amazon: 1402211783
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2008-05-02T00:00:00+00:00

8. When do you wish to see my child again for this condition?

Follow-up for hearing loss depends on the nature of the loss. For children with conductive hearing loss due to middle ear fluid, follow-up every four to six weeks is recommended until the condition has resolved, either with medical (antibiotics) or surgical treatment (placement of ear tubes). With sensorineural hearing loss, follow-up either annually or biannually is recommended once it has been determined the hearing loss has stabilized.

MICHAEL BIAVATI, MD

Otolaryngology

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HEART MURMUR

Definition:

An abnormal heart sound.

Author’s Comment: Heart murmurs are very common in childhood.

If they are of the “innocent” type, which means there is no structural abnormality, there is nothing to worry about. The organic type of murmur signifies some structural abnormality, which may be problematic for the child. Sometimes it is difficult for even the most skilled physician to be able to distinguish between the two with stethoscope alone. These children often need further investigation, sometimes from a pediatric cardiologist (heart specialist).

1. What causes this condition?

Heart murmurs occur in many children. The majority of heart murmurs are termed “innocent” heart murmurs. This simply means that the murmur is not caused by any kind of defect or abnormality with the heart. An innocent murmur simply means the normal flow of blood through the heart is being heard. Less commonly, a heart murmur can be caused by some type of abnormality with the heart. Examples would include holes in the walls separating chambers of the heart or abnormalities of the heart valves.

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2. What is its significance?

Murmurs are only significant if they are being caused by some type of defect or abnormality with the heart. Innocent murmurs have no significance and cause no problems.

3. What are the problems that can result because of it?

The heart murmur itself does not cause any problems. However, a heart murmur that is caused by a specific heart defect will have all of the problems associated with that defect. There are numerous types of heart defects. Some are very mild and require no treatment or limitation of activity in the child. Others can be severe, requiring medication or even surgery.

4. How is it treated?

Innocent murmurs need no treatment at all. Since the heart is normal in this setting, once a murmur is determined to be innocent, no further evaluation is necessary. A heart murmur produced by an abnormality of the heart will have its treatment based on the type of abnormality that is causing the murmur.

5. What problem signs should I look for as a result of this condition?

Signs of a potential heart condition in an infant most commonly include unusual color changes (specifically a blue or pale color) or a rapid respiratory rate. In older children, heart problems can include symptoms of easy fatigue, palpitations, and, in rare cases, chest pain.

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6. Is there a possibility that this condition will resolve itself without treatment?

If the

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