Cardiology Good to know News

Mitral valve prolapse (hereinafter MVP) is one of the most common pathologies that occurs in children of different age groups.

MVP can be pathological and is formed in the context of connective tissue dysplasia syndrome, which is a hereditary feature of the structure of collagen fibers, however, MVP is most often diagnosed in children during a period of intensive growth, which depends on constitutional characteristics and growth intensity, as well as in children with tall stature.

Should PMK be treated?

First of all, children with MVP need supervision. MVP can be diagnosed by auscultation during examination by a doctor, the noise has specific signs and an experienced doctor can easily hear it. And the need for treatment depends on the degree of sagging of the valve leaflet, the presence of so-called regurgitation (when the valve does not close completely and passes part of the blood in the opposite direction), complaints and clinical manifestations in the patient (including pain in the heart, weakness, dizziness, and others).

It is possible to reveal the details of MVP only when conducting an ultrasound examination of the heart. Therefore, children are recommended to undergo an ultrasound scan during periods of intensive growth with a preventive purpose:

  • In the first 3 months after birth
  • At the end of the first year of life;
  • Before entering school;
  • At the age of 11, at the beginning of hormonal changes;
  • At the age of 14, in the midst of hormonal changes;
  • Athletes annually.

If the child has already found MVP, then the frequency of studies is determined by the doctor, depending on the degree of prolapse and the presence of clinical manifestations.

 

 

Kravets Lyudmila Vladimirovna

Doctor – pediatric cardioreumatologist

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