What is the primary murmur associated with mitral stenosis in children?

Mitral stenosis is characterized by the narrowing of the mitral valve opening, which impairs blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle during diastole. This abnormal flow creates turbulence that is best detected as a diastolic murmur. In children, this murmur is often described as a low-pitched, rumbling sound that occurs after the opening snap of the mitral valve.

The timing of the murmur is crucial; since mitral stenosis involves issues that arise during the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle, the presence of a diastolic murmur is the hallmark feature. The murmur reflects the increased pressure gradient that develops across the narrowed mitral valve as the left atrium pushes blood into the left ventricle.

Recognizing this primary characteristic helps healthcare providers accurately diagnose and manage mitral stenosis in pediatric patients. Understanding these nuances of cardiac murmurs is essential in pediatric cardiology.