Which heart sound is often benign in children?

The third heart sound (S3) is often considered benign in children. This phenomenon occurs due to the rapid filling of the ventricles during early diastole, which is relatively common in younger populations because of their higher metabolic rates and the greater compliance of their heart structures. In children, the presence of S3 typically does not indicate heart disease or dysfunction but is rather a normal finding in a healthy heart.

In contrast, S1 and S2 are the basic sounds of the heartbeat associated with the closure of heart valves and are generally not described as benign or abnormal in the context of heart pathology; they are fundamental to the cardiac cycle. S4, or the fourth heart sound, is typically associated with a stiff or hypertrophied ventricle and is generally considered abnormal in both children and adults, often indicating underlying cardiac issues. Therefore, the normalcy of S3 in children aligns with their unique physiological characteristics, making it the correct choice in this context.