What is the most common innocent murmur detected in newborns?

A systolic ejection murmur is the most common innocent murmur detected in newborns due to its characteristic features and timing in the cardiac cycle. These murmurs occur during the systolic phase when the heart ventricles are contracting and blood is being ejected through the aorta and pulmonary artery. This type of murmur is typically soft, short, and can vary in intensity but is generally considered benign.

In the neonatal population, the hemodynamics and anatomical conditions contribute to the prevalence of these murmurs. They arise from blood flow turbulence as it passes through normal anatomical structures. Understanding this helps differentiate innocent murmurs from pathological ones, which can be important in clinical practice.

Other types of murmurs listed, such as diastolic murmurs and continuous murmurs, are less common in newborns and may indicate underlying pathology, particularly if they are not innocent. Radiating murmurs might suggest the presence of significant cardiac anomalies or alterations in blood flow that warrant further investigation.