Sydenham's chorea.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To study the clinical profile in patients with Sydenham's chorea.

DESIGN:

Prospective.

SETTING:

Medical college and hospital.

SUBJECTS:

Sixty cases with Sydenham's chorea, between 1988 and 1994, were studied. Of these 36 were girls; the mean age at presentation was 11.1 yr (range 7-16 yr).

RESULTS:

Female predominance was apparent only after 9 years of age. There was a high familial incidence for both chorea and rheumatic fever. Generalized chorea was seen in 40 and hemichorea in 20 patients. The chorea lasted from 5 to 40 days; 13 patients had recurrent episodes. Gait disturbances, dysarthria and weakness were common. Six patients had co-existing heart disease, 4 had arthritis and one had subcutaneous nodules. A raised ESR and positive ASO titer were seen in 37 and 20 patients respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

There was an increased incidence of Sydenham's chorea after 9 years of age in girls possibly suggesting the influence of female sex hormones. A high incidence of neurologic manifestations were noted. Acute phase reactants were raised in almost half the patients. Sodium valproate, whenever used, was effective in controlling the chorea.

• Authors: M L Kulkarni, S Anees
• Journal: Indian pediatrics (Indian Pediatr) Vol. 33 Issue 2 Pg. 112-5 (Feb 1996) ISSN: 0019-6061 [Print] India
• PMID: 8772928 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Age Distribution
• Child
• Chorea (drug therapy, epidemiology, etiology)
• Developing Countries
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Humans
• Incidence
• India (epidemiology)
• Male
• Prognosis
• Prospective Studies
• Rheumatic Fever (complications)
• Sex Distribution