Overview of Sydenham's Chorea

Sydenham's chorea is a neurologic movement disorder characterized by irregular, abrupt, relatively rapid involuntary movements (i.e., chorea) of muscles of the face, neck, trunk, and arms and legs (limbs). Additional findings often include diminished muscle tone (hypotonia), muscle weakness, and emotional and behavioral disturbances, particularly obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Sydenham's chorea most frequently occurs in children or adolescents between the ages of 5 to 15 following acute rheumatic fever (ARF). ARF is an inflammatory disease that develops subsequent to throat infection with certain strains of streptococcal bacteria (i.e., group A beta-hemolytic streptococci).

In patients with Sydenham's chorea, choreic movements usually begin gradually, progressively worsening over a few weeks to a month. Associated findings may be extremely variable, ranging from relatively mild incoordination to severe disruption in conducting voluntary movements of multiple muscle groups, potentially affecting speech, arm movements, walking, and the ability to perform certain activities of daily living. In some patients, Sydenham's chorea may a self-limited condition, usually spontaneously resolving within about nine months (average duration) to two years (about 50% of patients); therefore, treatment with certain medications may be restricted to patients with significantly impaired function resulting from severe chorea.

History
Sydenham's chorea was described in the medical literature in 1686 by Thomas Sydenham, after whom the syndrome is now named. The disorder has also been referred to as...

• St. Vitus' dance
• Acute chorea
• Chorea minor
• Rheumatic chorea

	Symptoms/Findings