What is Sydenham chorea?

Definition. Sydenham chorea (SC) is a neurological disorder of childhood resulting from infection via Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS), the bacterium that causes rheumatic fever. SC is characterized by rapid, irregular, and aimless involuntary movements of the arms and legs, trunk, and facial muscles.

What causes sydenhams chorea?

Sydenham chorea is caused by an infection with bacteria called group A streptococcus. This is the bacteria that cause rheumatic fever (RF) and strep throat. Group A streptococcus bacteria can react with a part of the brain called basal ganglia to cause this disorder.

What is the treatment for Sydenham chorea?

Treatment. There is no specific treatment for Sydenham's chorea and symptoms usually resolve themselves in approximately 3 to 6 months. Bed rest, sedatives and medication to control movements may be prescribed. Penicillin prophylaxis may also be prescribed to avoid further streptococcal infection.

Can Sydenham be cured?

Classically, SC is expected to resolve in 1–6 months. A retrospective study of 90 patients showed complete remission of motor symptoms in 85% by 6 months, and an additional 5% had complete remission by 1 year.

Why is it called Sydenham chorea?

Current Name: Sydenham Chorea

The name derives from the Greek word khoreia, which means dancing in unison, or khoros, the Greek equivalent of chorus, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. The chorea associated with strep throat and rheumatic fever became known as Sydenham chorea.

Boy with Sydenham's Chorea

What triggers chorea?

Definition. Chorea is an abnormal involuntary movement disorder, one of a group of neurological disorders called dyskinesias, which are caused by overactivity of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the areas of the brain that control movement.

Does St. Vitus dance still exist?

In the current nomenclature Saint Vitus' dance or chorea (from the Greek χορεíα for dance) has been largely displaced by the eponym Sydenham's chorea.

Is Sydenham chorea reversible?

Sydenham's chorea is a common cause of reversible chorea in childhood, seen after a streptococcal throat infection.

Does Sydenham chorea go away with sleep?

In most cases, chorea disappears during sleep. In addition to choreic movements, individuals with Sydenham chorea may develop muscle weakness, slurred speech (dysarthria), diminished muscle tone (hypotonia), tics, obsessions, compulsions, inattention, anxiety, labile mood, and decreased verbal output.

Is Sydenham chorea genetic?

Genetic causes: Benign hereditary chorea starts in childhood and is a non-progressive chorea. Inheritance is usually autosomal dominant, although rare cases of autosomal-recessive and X-linked inheritance have been reported.

What does chorea feel like?

The most common signs of chorea are: Involuntary muscle movements: Also called fidgety movements or dance-like movements usually appear in the hands, feet, and face. They can affect the way you walk, swallow and talk. The movements may be fluid or somewhat jerky.

Can anxiety cause chorea?

Chorea is usually worsened by anxiety and stress and subsides during sleep. Most patients attempt to disguise chorea by incorporating it into a purposeful activity.

Does chorea hurt?

Chorea movements can be fast or slow. A person may appear to be writhing in pain and have no bodily control. These movements have also been called dance-like or similar to piano playing.

Is chorea the same as Huntington's disease?

Chorea is a primary symptom of Huntington's disease. Although it is often associated with the disease, it has other possible causes, including pregnancy, certain medications, and other underlying conditions, such as hyperthyroidism. Huntington's disease is a progressive disease that develops slowly.

Is St. Vitus dance the same as Huntington's disease?

HD History

HD was known as Huntington's chorea and Saint Vitus's dance in the past.

Why is it called St. Vitus dance?

The name St. Vitus Dance derives from the late Middle Ages, when persons with the disease attended the chapels of St. Vitus, who was believed to have curative powers. The disorder was first explained by the English physician Thomas Sydenham.

Is chorea seen in Parkinson's?

Chorea is a common symptom of Huntington's disease and other less-common diseases. Chorea is also frequently observed in patients with Parkinson's disease taking a medication called levodopa. In this case, it is referred to as "dyskinesias."

What does mild chorea look like?

In milder cases, chorea may appear purposeful. The patient often appears fidgety and clumsy. Overall, chorea can affect various body parts, and interfere with speech, swallowing, posture and gait, and disappears in sleep.

What is the difference between chorea and dystonia?

Dystonia is a movement disorder in which involuntary sustained or intermittent muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements, abnormal postures, or both. Chorea is an ongoing random-appearing sequence of one or more discrete involuntary movements or movement fragments.

Can chorea be suppressed?

In some cases in which chorea is due to prior damage to the brain or an ongoing degenerative process, there may not be a treatment available to influence the underlying disease process. The choreic movements themselves can be treated with medications that can help to suppress them.

What is the modern name for St. Vitus dance?

Sydenham's chorea, also known as chorea minor and historically and occasionally referred to as St Vitus' dance, is a disorder characterized by rapid, uncoordinated jerking movements primarily affecting the face, hands and feet.

What is another name for Saint Vitus dance?

Sydenham chorea, also known as St. Vitus dance, is a neuropsychiatric manifestation of rheumatic fever with an incidence varying from 5 to 35%. It may occur alone or concomitantly with other manifestations of rheumatic fever.

Why is St. Vitus a saint?

VITUS, the son of a pagan Sicilian senator, was converted to Christianity by his nurse and later martyred. He became the patron saint of nervous disorders for casting an evil spirit out of the son of the Emperor Diocletian.

Can you have chorea without Huntington's?

In addition to these clinical presentations, an HD-like phenotype has been reported in a small percentage of patients. In some populations, especially those of European ancestry,^6,–8 this appears to be the commonest identified cause of non-HD chorea.

How do you stop involuntary movements?

Involuntary movements may be treated with medications, surgery, deep brain stimulation, or behavioral therapy. Your doctor may recommend meeting with a physical therapist to work on stretching and strengthening any muscles affected by involuntary movements.