childs heartbeat....

1. Hi, I took my 7 yr. old to the dr. today for what I thought was an irregular heartbeat but he said it was normal!! It will beat normal then get faster and then skip a beat. It really concerned me. Is this probably nothing to worry about?
   Steph
2. 

   About stephera

   Joined: Feb '04; Posts: 234
   pediatric private duty; from US
   Specialty: nursing home, clinic, homehealth

   5 Comments

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3. 
   Mar 24, '04

   Occupation: RN Joined: Feb '04; Posts: 95; Likes: 2

   This is usually normal in pediatrics, their heart will spead up and skip a beat in relation to their respirations. This goes away when they get older. If you are truly concerned, seek a second opinion.
4. 
   Mar 24, '04

   Occupation: RN Manager (Retired) Specialty: 10 year(s) of experience in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management ; From: US ; Joined: Sep '03; Posts: 3,325; Likes: 722

   Lots of variability in children's vital signs.
5. 
   Mar 24, '04

   Occupation: RN Joined: Feb '01; Posts: 1,840; Likes: 218

   The "extra" or irregular beat could actually be an S-3 heart sound which is a normal variant in children and youth (but not in a 40 year old with shortness of breath). Also, I recall that they can have a sinus arrythmia that coincides with respiration?
6. 
   Mar 25, '04

   Joined: Dec '03; Posts: 37,336; Likes: 5,525

   Children normally have sinus arrythmias, some are just a little more irregular at times. If you just happened to notice it because you had your hand on your child's chest, I wouldn't worry about it.
   
7. 
   Mar 25, '04

   Joined: Feb '03; Posts: 262; Likes: 3

   I remember snuggling with my 3 year old son a few years ago and being scared to death when I had my head resting on his chest. I heard the exact same thing! We took him in to the Doctor and she said it was completely normal. I am still glad we had him checked - you never know, and I would have felt terrible if it had been something serious that I dismissed.

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