A heart murmur is a sound in the heartbeat that is often detected during a routine office visit. The murmur is usually the result of an irregular flow of blood through the heart that rarely affects the overall health of the child. Unless otherwise directed by your child's doctor, make sure your child gets plenty of exercise and eats right. Most often, heart murmurs in children are not the result of structural abnormalities. They are often very faint and can't be heard consistently.
Innocent murmurs are harmless and usually disappear by adulthood.
If the cause of the murmur is from a heart defect, it's commonly either a septal or a valvular problem. These openings can allow blood to flow irregularly between the two sides. Many small septal defects will usually close on their own. Surgery may be necessary if the defects are large or infected or cause symptoms of heart failure. A defective valve might allow blood to back up in the wrong direction.