[Variables associated with pathologic heart murmurs in primary care consultations]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Neonatal Health
• Diagnostic Indicators

Context:

• Cardiac murmurs are common in infants, but distinguishing pathological from innocent murmurs is critical.
• Early identification of pathological murmurs can lead to timely intervention and improved outcomes.
• Primary care settings play a vital role in the initial assessment of pediatric cardiac conditions.

Purpose:

• To identify clinical variables associated with pathological cardiac murmurs in infants.
• To investigate the relationship between murmur characteristics and underlying cardiac pathology.
• To provide evidence-based insights for primary care physicians managing infant murmurs.

Summary:

• A retrospective study of 109 infants with cardiac murmurs found that 10.1% had pathological murmurs.
• Pathological murmurs were significantly associated with younger age at diagnosis (p=0.006) and increased murmur intensity (p=0.001).
• These findings suggest that early diagnosis and murmur intensity are key indicators of cardiac pathology in infants.

Impact:

• Highlights the importance of considering age and murmur intensity in the diagnostic workup of infant cardiac murmurs.
• Informs primary care providers on risk factors for pathological murmurs, potentially improving referral accuracy.
• Contributes to the understanding of pediatric cardiovascular health and early disease detection strategies.