Heart murmurs in infants

[Brianna122386]

I have some questions about heart murmurs in infants:

Are newborn heart murmurs ever severe enough to necessitate surgery right away after birth? Do they have a name?
What are the odds of a heart murmur this severe?
How long would the surgery typically take? What is the mortality rate for newborns who undergo this type of surgery?

thank you

[grendslori]

ALL babies are born with a heart murmur caused by a hole in the heart which usually closes up on it's own during the first year of life. Those types of murmurs are called Functional Murmurs and are nothing to be concerned about. Some babies have structure problems with the heart where different types of murmurs can be heard; those babies often times require surgery. The doctor is the best judge on whether or not the problem cna 'wait' or needs immediate attention.  

[Encephalomalcia]

Sometimes doctors hear a heart murmur because of the thick chest wall that infants have.  Sometimes there is nothing wrong with the heart valves, it is just the thick chest wall.  Infants sometimes outgrow a heart murmur due to the fact that they are still growing and changing. Most likely the doctor will monitor the heart murmur.   Wondering if you are pregnant and found out some news during your ultrasound?

[Donna552]

First of all, what is the problem that is causing the murmur?. A murmur is a noise, not a condition.

Ask your doctor to explain this to you.  You need to know and you also need someone who is willing to answer all of your questions.

There are several defects that require immediate surgery.  Survival rate is something that your doctor owes you an explaination to.  

Is your child at a "childrens hospital"?  Is it possible that he/she be transported to a childrens hospital?  This is where they specialize in infants, and the doctors there are the best.  They do amazing things and are usually successful.

Please let us know what is happening......prayers are with you and your child.