Do a full adult cardiac examination with the following additional components.
General
- Dysmorphic features
- Down’s, Williams and DiGeorge syndromes associated with congenital heart disease
- Turner syndrome associated with AS
- Noonan syndrome associated with PS
- Work of breathing
- Colour (pallor, cyanosis, mottling)
- Alertness and interest in surroundings
- Nutritional status
| <1 year | 1-2 years | 2-5 years | 5-12 years | >12 years |
Resp rate | 30-40 | 25-35 | 25-30 | 20-25 | 15-20 |
Heart rate | 110-160 | 100-150 | 95-140 | 80-120 | 60-100 |
Normal paediatric observations
Auscultation
- Also auscultate in the following areas:
- Left interscapular area (systolic murmur = coarctation of the aorta)
- Left infraclavicular area (systolic murmur = coarctation of the aorta; continuous machinery-like murmur = patent ductus arteriosus)
To complete
- Observations including blood pressure
- Preductal (right hand) and postductal (left hand or either foot) oxygen saturations to assess for critical congenital heart disease (both should be ≥95%)
- Growth charts
Learn about the clinical features of congenital heart disease
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