Heart murmur in neonates: how often is it caused by congenital heart disease?
OBJECTIVE
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common form of cardiovascular diseases in children. This study was performed from September 2006 to August 2007 in Ardebil, Westnorthern Iran. The aim was to determine the prevalence of heart murmur in newborns and its correlation with CHD.


METHODS
In a 1-year cross sectional descriptive-analytic study, 2928 newborns were screened for heart murmur during routine neonatal physical examination. All babies with murmur underwent echocardiography.


RESULTS
Murmur was detected in 91 (3.1%) neonates, of whom 47 (51.6%) had a congenital heart disease. The most common (17.6%) abnormality was ventricular septal defect. Patent ductus arteriosus was found in 10 (11%) patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Remarkable high (round 50 %) rate of CDH in newborns presenting with heart murmur, urges to observe these neonates closely to establish the diagnosis of congenital heart disease and early referral to pediatric cardiologist.
Department of Pediatrics, Ardebil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
Mehrdad
M
Mirzarahimi
Hakimeh
H
Saadati
Hosein
H
Doustkami
Rogaeh
R
Alipoor
Khatereh
K
Isazadehfar
Afsaneh
A
Enteshari