wpe1.jpg (1729 bytes) Functional Murmurs

These are the most frequently encountered murmurs in children and adolescents. The Table of Functional Murmurs summarizes the various types and the salient features of functional murmurs. You must remember that functional murmurs have no hemodynamic influence on the cardiovascular system, therefore the precordial impulse is normal. S2 is physiologically split and the peripheral pulses are normal. Fever, anemia and anxiety are among the most common causes of functional murmurs. In neonates, functional murmurs past the first 24-72 hours of life are rare.


Table of Functional Murmurs

Types and features of functional murmurs
Venous Hum Systolic and diastolic Sitting only
Vibratory Murmur Midsystolic Musical quality
Pulmonic Ejection Ejection without a click Normal S2
Carotid Bruit Short systolic Carotid area
Physiologic PPS* Short systolic, bilateral Transmitted throughout lung fields
 
*Peripheral pulmonic stenosis most common in pre-term infants.

Back to Murmurs

Objectives | History | Physical Exam | Cardiac Cycle | Murmurs |
Criteria for Referral | Compare Sounds | Case Studies | Samples of Murmurs