Cardiac murmurs in the newborn

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) accounts for a significant share of baby and young child mortality. Newborns (from birth to one month of age) are more likely than older babies and toddlers to have a major lesion that requires immediate treatment. On physical examination, detecting a murmur in a baby can give a clue to the presence of CHD, but its value is limited by provider competence and neonatal variables including high heart rate and respiratory symptoms. In addition, not all murmurs are harmful. When assessing if a murmur needs additional study, health care providers such as primary care doctors, pediatricians, and nurse practitioners frequently confront challenges.