Rapid Diagnostic Assessment

Heart Murmurs in Babies and Children

Expert evaluation, same-day rapid-access paediatric echocardiogram, and compassionate reassurance from consultant paediatric cardiologist Dr Nitha Naqvi at 77 Wimpole Street, Central London.

What causes heart murmurs in children?

Heart murmurs in children are extra sounds made by turbulent blood circulating through the heart chambers and valves. In up to 80% of children, these are completely harmless innocent murmurs occurring in a structurally normal heart. Less commonly, a murmur reflects structural issues like a hole in the heart (VSD or ASD) or valve narrowing.

Dr Nitha Naqvi examining child with stethoscope

Understanding Your Child's Murmur

Hearing that your child or baby has a heart murmur can be worrying for parents, but in the overwhelming majority of cases, murmurs are discovered incidentally during routine GP checks or when a child has a high temperature.

A comprehensive cardiac assessment includes a thorough clinical examination, an ECG, and a high-resolution paediatric echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) to conclusively confirm whether the heart is completely normal.

Innocent (Normal) Murmurs

Innocent murmurs are the most common type of murmur in healthy children. They represent the sound of normal blood moving rapidly through normal heart chambers and blood vessels.

"Just like we can hear water running through normal domestic pipes without any plumbing fault, we can often hear normal blood flowing through a child's heart." — Dr Nitha Naqvi

No activity restrictions, no medication, and no follow-up required once confirmed innocent.

Pathological Murmurs

A minority of murmurs are caused by anatomical or structural heart conditions that require specialist paediatric cardiology oversight, including:

Even when a structural cause is found, many minor defects close naturally on their own without intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions by Parents

Common queries about heart murmurs, diagnostic scans, and appointments

No GP referral is required for self-funding private consultations. Parents can contact Dr Naqvi's office directly to arrange a rapid-access consultation and same-day heart scans. If you are using private medical insurance, your insurer may request a referral from your GP.

A paediatric echocardiogram is a completely safe, painless ultrasound scan. Warm gel is applied to the child's chest and a gentle ultrasound probe captures real-time images and Doppler blood flows. Babies can feed and older children can watch their favourite tablet show during the 20-30 minute scan.

No. An innocent heart murmur is simply an acoustic sound of normal blood flow in a healthy heart. It does not cause weakness, does not turn into heart disease, and does not limit your child's physical development, sport, or energy.

Dr Naqvi runs dedicated private clinics offering rapid-access appointments. The consultation, ECG, and echocardiogram are completed within a single session, and Dr Naqvi discusses the findings immediately with parents before you leave the clinic.

Book a Child Heart Check with Dr Nitha Naqvi

Prompt consultations and same-day cardiac ultrasound scans for babies, children, and teenagers at 77 Wimpole Street, Central London.

Book an Appointment 0208 1370242