Expert: David Olson, MD - 11/29/2007

Question
My daughter just went to her four month check up (although she is 20 weeks old), and the doctor told me she has a heart murmur.  We have been referred to a pediatric cardiologist, although we are having scheduling problems.  All the doctors are booked up!  I am extremely concerned (I am a first time overprotective and paranoid mom).  Why wasn't this heard earlier?  Is it more significant because it was just detected now?  How common is this?

Answer
Hi, Sandra,

Either this was a murmur that was always there and never was heard or is one that was just heard on this visit and never was there before.  If it is the latter, then this is likely a functional or innocent murmur.  In our practice, based in a city where we don't have peds cardiologists, I would myself order a cardiac echo.  This test would tell if it was something to worry about or not.  The fact there isn't a rush to see someone indicates to me that your doctor isn't real concerned that it may be something serious.

Good luck, Dr. Olson