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Sydenham's choreaSSydenham's choreaSydenham's choreaEnglishNeurologySchool age child (5-8 years);Pre-teen (9-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)BodyBrainConditions and diseasesCaregivers Adult (19+)NA2019-12-02T05:00:00Z10.000000000000047.10000000000001133.00000000000Health (A-Z) - ConditionsHealth A-Z<p>Chorea is chaotic, random, repetitive, purposeless movements that usually involve multiple body parts. Sydenham's chorea (SC) is the most common form of acquired chorea in children.</p><h2>What is chorea?</h2><p>Chorea is derived from the word for “dance” and refers to an ongoing random-appearing sequence of one or more discrete, involuntary movements. The movements appear random due to variability in frequency, duration, rate, direction and the body part(s) affected. All body parts may be involved.</p><h2>Sydenham's chorea</h2><p>Sydenham's chorea (SC) is one of the most common forms of acquired chorea in children. Unlike many movement disorders people are born with, it is caused by infection, so it is acquired. SC is caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection. It is part of the spectrum of disorders associated with rheumatic fever. Other diseases or medications can cause other forms of chorea.<br></p><p>Girls are more affected than boys. Most patients are between five and 15 years old.<br></p><h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Sydenham's chorea (SC) is acquired after infection with a group A beta-hemolytic <em>Streptococcus</em> bacteria.<br></li><li>SC is often mild and usually goes away on its own after a few months. Most often, the movements do not need to be treated with medication or therapy. </li><li>It is very important to monitor cardiac function in children with SC because SC is associated with rheumatic fever, which can affect the heart.</li><li>Children with SC will require long-term antibiotic treatment to prevent recurrence of SC and to protect the heart.</li></ul><h2>Signs and symptoms of Sydenham's chorea</h2> <p>With all movement disorders, abnormal signals from the brain cause patients to have trouble controlling the muscles of their bodies.</p> <p>Children with SC usually have rapid, involuntary, uncoordinated jerking movements. The movement most often affects the face, hands and feet but can also affect the whole body. Sometimes, the movements affect only one side of the body. Children with SC may also have muscle weakness.</p> <p>The movements can occur at rest or while active. Movements may increase with drowsiness or distracting activities, such as counting or performing mental arithmetic.</p> <p>Symptoms usually do not appear during sleep.</p> <h3>Short term<br></h3> <p>The movements can interfere with daily activities such as eating, handwriting and dressing. Because the movements are relatively mild, children often try to hide them. They may incorporate an involuntary movement into one that appears to have a purpose. For example, an involuntary head movement may be turned into a flick of the hair. Sometimes, children will sit on their hands to try to stop the movements.</p> <p>Children may seem clumsy and may drop or spill things frequently. Sometimes children have repetitive "piano playing" type movements or they may be unable to hold things in their hands. SC may also cause bursts of uncontrolled speech. </p> <h3>Longer term</h3> <p>Some children with SC will have a symptom months or years after the disorder has gone away the first time. Usually, this happens about two years after the first signs of SC have cleared. </p> <p>As they grow into adulthood, girls may have recurring symptoms if they take birth control pills or estrogen, or if they get pregnant. </p> <h2>Behaviour, feelings and Sydenham's chorea</h2> <p>Sometimes, children with SC develop behavioural and emotional symptoms. These might include depression, anxiety, personality changes, being overly emotional, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), tics and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). </p> <p>It is not known if these behavioural changes are part of SC or a result of SC. Sometimes emotional outbursts happen just before involuntary movements begin. </p> <p>If your child with SC is attending school, you may want to inform the school about your child's condition, including the possible emotional and behavioural symptoms. </p><h2>What causes Sydenham's chorea?</h2><p>SC is believed to be an autoimmune disorder. In an autoimmune disorder, the immune system fights against itself and mistakenly reacts against healthy tissue. In Sydenham's chorea, the body creates antibodies against a streptococcal infection. Then, these antibodies persist and start targeting other organs, such as the heart, kidneys and brain.</p><p>SC is one of the major diagnostic criteria of rheumatic fever.</p><h2>Diagnosing Sydenham's chorea</h2><p>Diagnosis of SC can be difficult initially. There are many different types of movement disorders, many of which have different causes. Often at the beginning, their symptoms appear the same. </p><p>Even though SC is caused by a streptococcal infection, the infection may be gone from the body by the time movement symptoms begin.</p><p>A patient and family history is taken when diagnosing SC. This is because the doctors will want to find out if the child or other members of the family have had a current or recent infection, as well as to distinguish from other types of hereditary chorea.</p><p>In most cases, the diagnosis will be made based on the child’s signs, symptoms and medical history in combination with a blood test for streptococcal antibodies. After the diagnosis is confirmed, all children will require cardiac evaluation.</p><h2>Treatment of Sydenham's chorea</h2><p>The movements of Sydenham's chorea are often not treated because the symptoms are so mild and the condition will most likely go away on its own after a few months. More severe cases, where the movements interfere with function, may be treated with medications. These medications may include: </p><ul><li>Anticonvulsants (like <a href="/article?contentid=258&language=english">valproic acid</a> and <a href="/article?contentid=90&language=english">carbamazepine</a>), which can reduce the frequency and severity of movements. Low doses of dopamine receptor blockers, such as <a href="/article?contentid=150&language=english">haloperidol</a>, or dopamine depletors, such as tetrabenazine, are also used. Since most children improve over time, they are usually not at risk of the long-term complications observed with these drugs. However, you should always discuss the potential benefits and risks of medications with your health-care provider.<br></li><li>Steroids may be used in severe and resistant cases. They help to get rid of antibodies that may cause symptoms to worsen. </li></ul><p>The doctor will also assess your child's heart. This is done because chorea is associated with rheumatic fever. Patients who have Sydenham's chorea may have an affected heart.</p><p>Children with SC will require treatment for streptococcal infection. They will then need prophylactic antibiotics to prevent further streptococcal infections. The duration of prophylaxis depends on if there are changes to the heart.</p><h2>Potential complications of Sydenham's chorea</h2><p>When a child is diagnosed with SC, they should be evaluated for inflammation of the heart (carditis).</p><p>Children with SC will require long-term antibiotic treatment. This helps prevent permanent heart valve damage, which could result if the child experiences recurrent streptococcal infections. Continuing long-term antibiotic treatment also helps to prevent recurrent episodes of SC.</p><h2>Resources</h2><p>National Organization for Rare Disorders. Sydenham Chorea. Retrieved from <a href="https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/sydenham-chorea/">https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/sydenham-chorea/</a></p><p>National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Sydenham Chorea Information Page. Retrieved from: <a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Sydenham-Chorea-Information-Page">https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Sydenham-Chorea-Information-Page</a></p>
Chorée de SydenhamCChorée de SydenhamSydenham's choreaFrenchNeurologySchool age child (5-8 years);Pre-teen (9-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)BodyBrainConditions and diseasesCaregivers Adult (19+)NA2010-03-05T05:00:00Z9.0000000000000052.0000000000000766.000000000000Health (A-Z) - ConditionsHealth A-Z<p>La chorée est le nom que l’on donne à un bon nombre de types de troubles du mouvement. La chorée de Sydenham (CS) est le type le plus courant de chorée acquise.</p><h2>Qu'est-ce qu'une chorée?</h2> <p>Une chorée est le nom que l'on donne à certains types de troubles du mouvement qui se caractérisent par des mouvements de torsion ou saccadés dans le corps ou les membres. Les troubles du mouvement sont des affections qui provoquent des mouvements corporels involontaires. Parkinson, les infirmités motrices cérébrales et la maladie de Lou-Gehrig (la sclérose latérale amyotrophique) sont tous des troubles du mouvement.</p> <h2>La chorée de Sydenham</h2> <p>La chorée de Sydenham (CS) est le type le plus courant de chorée acquise. Contrairement à de nombreux troubles du mouvement qui sont déjà présents à la naissance, la CS est provoqué par une infection; elle est donc dite « acquise ». La plupart du temps, elle est provoquée par une infection au streptocoque-bêta hémolytique de groupe A. Elle fait partie du spectre des troubles associés à la fièvre rhumatismale.</p> <p>Habituellement, la CS ne dure pas. La plupart des cas se résorbent d'eux-mêmes 3 à 6 mois après leur apparition. Les cas durent rarement plus d'un an.</p> <p>Deux fois plus de filles que de garçons contractent la CS. La plupart des patients ont entre 5 et 15 ans.</p><h2>À retenir</h2> <ul> <li>La chorée de Sydenham (SC) est un trouble du mouvement acquis.</li> <li>Souvent, la SC est bénigne et se résorbe d'elle-même après quelques mois. Dans la plupart des cas de CS, les médicaments ou autres thérapies ne sont pas nécessaires.</li> </ul><h2>Les signes et symptômes de CS</h2><p>Comme c'est le cas pour tous les troubles du mouvement, le cerveau des personnes atteintes émet des signaux anormaux qui entraînent un manque de contrôle sur les muscles du corps.</p><p>Les enfants atteints de CS affichent habituellement des mouvements involontaires qui ressemblent à de l'agitation ou à de la nervosité. Ils peuvent également afficher une certaine faiblesse musculaire. Habituellement, ces mouvements se manifestent dans l'ensemble du corps mais peuvent également se manifester que d'un seul côté. Ils peuvent également se manifester dans le visage, les mains ou les bras seulement.</p><p>Les mouvements peuvent se produire lorsque l'enfant est au repos ou lorsqu'il est actif. Les mouvements peuvent augmenter lorsque l'enfant s'adonne à des activités qui l'empêchent de se concentrer, comme compter ou faire du calcul mental.</p><p>Normalement, les symptômes ne se manifestent pas durant le sommeil.</p><h3>Tenter de cacher les mouvements</h3><p>Puisque les mouvements sont relativement légers, les enfants tentent souvent de les cacher. Ils incorporent parfois un mouvement involontaire à un mouvement qui semble volontaire. Par exemple, un mouvement involontaire de la tête se convertit en petit coup de tête pour dégager les cheveux. Certains enfants s'assoient sur leurs mains pour tenter de faire cesser les mouvements.</p><p>Ces enfants peuvent sembler maladroits; il se peut qu’ils échappent ou renversent des choses fréquemment. Parfois les enfants affichent des mouvements répétitifs, comme du pianotage, ou semblent incapables de tenir des choses dans leurs mains. La CS peut également provoquer des discours incontrôlés soudain.</p><h3>À plus long terme</h3><p>Parmi les enfants atteints de CS, environ 3 sur 10 afficheront des symptômes pendant des mois ou des années après la disparition du trouble la première fois. Habituellement, cela se poursuit pendant environ 2 ans après la disparition des premiers signes de CS.</p><p>Au fur et à mesure qu'elles grandissent, les filles pourraient afficher des symptômes récurrents si elles prennent des contraceptifs oraux ou de l’œstrogène, ou si elles tombent enceintes. </p><h2>Le comportement, les émotions et la CS</h2><p>Parfois, les enfants atteints de CS affichent des problèmes émotionnels ou en développent. Cela peut comprendre la dépression, l’anxiété, les changements de personnalité, l'émotivité excessive, le trouble obsessionnel compulsif (TOC) et le trouble d’hyperactivité avec déficit de l’attention (THDA).</p> <p>On ne sait pas si ces effets émotionnels font partie de la CS ou si elles en sont le résultat. Parfois, les crise émotionnelles se produisent juste avant la manifestation de mouvements involontaires.</p><p>Si votre enfant atteint de CS va à l'école, il pourrait être utile d'informer l'école de l'état de l'enfant, y compris des problèmes émotionnels et comportementaux possibles.</p><h2>Diagnostiquer la chorée de Sydenham</h2> <p>Il peut être difficile de diagnostiquer la CS. Il existe de nombreux types de troubles du mouvement et plusieurs d'entre eux ont des causes différentes. Au début, leurs symptômes semblent souvent identiques.</p> <p>Même si la CS est provoquée par une infection au streptocoque, il est possible que l'infection se résorbe avant l'apparition des symptômes liés au mouvement.</p> <p>Lorsqu'une CS est diagnostiquée, les médecins vérifieront les antécédents du patient et de la famille car ils voudront déterminer si l'enfant ou les autres membres de la famille ont déjà contracté une infection ou s'ils souffrent actuellement d’une infection afin de vérifier s’il s’agit d'un autre type de chorées héréditaire.</p><h2>Treatment</h2><p>Souvent, on ne traite pas la chorée de Sydenham car les symptômes sont légers et l'affection disparaît souvent d'elle-même après quelques mois. Dans les cas plus graves, où les mouvements interfèrent avec les fonctions corporelles, on pourrait administrer des médicaments, comme : </p><ul><li>Des anticonvulsivants, qui réduisent la fréquence et sévérité des mouvements;</li><li>Des stéroïdes et des immunoglobulines intraveineuses dans les cas les plus graves et les plus résistants. Ces médicaments aident à éliminer les anticorps qui pourraient aggraver les symptômes.</li></ul><p>Les enfants atteints de CS recevront également de la pénicilline pendant 10 jours afin de prévenir la fièvre rhumatismale. Si votre enfant doit subir une opération chirurgicale, y compris une chirurgie dentaire, on devrait procéder à l’administration prophylactique de pénicilline. </p><p>Le médecin examinera également le cœur de votre enfant car la chorée est souvent associée à la fièvre rhumatismale. Le cœur des patients qui souffrent d’une chorée de Sydenham pourrait être touché.</p>

 

 

 

 

Sydenham's chorea846.000000000000Sydenham's choreaSydenham's choreaSEnglishNeurologySchool age child (5-8 years);Pre-teen (9-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)BodyBrainConditions and diseasesCaregivers Adult (19+)NA2019-12-02T05:00:00Z10.000000000000047.10000000000001133.00000000000Health (A-Z) - ConditionsHealth A-Z<p>Chorea is chaotic, random, repetitive, purposeless movements that usually involve multiple body parts. Sydenham's chorea (SC) is the most common form of acquired chorea in children.</p><h2>What is chorea?</h2><p>Chorea is derived from the word for “dance” and refers to an ongoing random-appearing sequence of one or more discrete, involuntary movements. The movements appear random due to variability in frequency, duration, rate, direction and the body part(s) affected. All body parts may be involved.</p><h2>Sydenham's chorea</h2><p>Sydenham's chorea (SC) is one of the most common forms of acquired chorea in children. Unlike many movement disorders people are born with, it is caused by infection, so it is acquired. SC is caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection. It is part of the spectrum of disorders associated with rheumatic fever. Other diseases or medications can cause other forms of chorea.<br></p><p>Girls are more affected than boys. Most patients are between five and 15 years old.<br></p><h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Sydenham's chorea (SC) is acquired after infection with a group A beta-hemolytic <em>Streptococcus</em> bacteria.<br></li><li>SC is often mild and usually goes away on its own after a few months. Most often, the movements do not need to be treated with medication or therapy. </li><li>It is very important to monitor cardiac function in children with SC because SC is associated with rheumatic fever, which can affect the heart.</li><li>Children with SC will require long-term antibiotic treatment to prevent recurrence of SC and to protect the heart.</li></ul><h2>Signs and symptoms of Sydenham's chorea</h2> <p>With all movement disorders, abnormal signals from the brain cause patients to have trouble controlling the muscles of their bodies.</p> <p>Children with SC usually have rapid, involuntary, uncoordinated jerking movements. The movement most often affects the face, hands and feet but can also affect the whole body. Sometimes, the movements affect only one side of the body. Children with SC may also have muscle weakness.</p> <p>The movements can occur at rest or while active. Movements may increase with drowsiness or distracting activities, such as counting or performing mental arithmetic.</p> <p>Symptoms usually do not appear during sleep.</p> <h3>Short term<br></h3> <p>The movements can interfere with daily activities such as eating, handwriting and dressing. Because the movements are relatively mild, children often try to hide them. They may incorporate an involuntary movement into one that appears to have a purpose. For example, an involuntary head movement may be turned into a flick of the hair. Sometimes, children will sit on their hands to try to stop the movements.</p> <p>Children may seem clumsy and may drop or spill things frequently. Sometimes children have repetitive "piano playing" type movements or they may be unable to hold things in their hands. SC may also cause bursts of uncontrolled speech. </p> <h3>Longer term</h3> <p>Some children with SC will have a symptom months or years after the disorder has gone away the first time. Usually, this happens about two years after the first signs of SC have cleared. </p> <p>As they grow into adulthood, girls may have recurring symptoms if they take birth control pills or estrogen, or if they get pregnant. </p> <h2>Behaviour, feelings and Sydenham's chorea</h2> <p>Sometimes, children with SC develop behavioural and emotional symptoms. These might include depression, anxiety, personality changes, being overly emotional, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), tics and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). </p> <p>It is not known if these behavioural changes are part of SC or a result of SC. Sometimes emotional outbursts happen just before involuntary movements begin. </p> <p>If your child with SC is attending school, you may want to inform the school about your child's condition, including the possible emotional and behavioural symptoms. </p><h2>What causes Sydenham's chorea?</h2><p>SC is believed to be an autoimmune disorder. In an autoimmune disorder, the immune system fights against itself and mistakenly reacts against healthy tissue. In Sydenham's chorea, the body creates antibodies against a streptococcal infection. Then, these antibodies persist and start targeting other organs, such as the heart, kidneys and brain.</p><p>SC is one of the major diagnostic criteria of rheumatic fever.</p><h2>Course of Sydenham's chorea</h2><p>SC usually does not last. Most cases disappear on their own between three to six months after first appearing. In some children, the movement can last up to two years. Sometimes, the movements will go away and then return.</p><h2>Diagnosing Sydenham's chorea</h2><p>Diagnosis of SC can be difficult initially. There are many different types of movement disorders, many of which have different causes. Often at the beginning, their symptoms appear the same. </p><p>Even though SC is caused by a streptococcal infection, the infection may be gone from the body by the time movement symptoms begin.</p><p>A patient and family history is taken when diagnosing SC. This is because the doctors will want to find out if the child or other members of the family have had a current or recent infection, as well as to distinguish from other types of hereditary chorea.</p><p>In most cases, the diagnosis will be made based on the child’s signs, symptoms and medical history in combination with a blood test for streptococcal antibodies. After the diagnosis is confirmed, all children will require cardiac evaluation.</p><h2>Treatment of Sydenham's chorea</h2><p>The movements of Sydenham's chorea are often not treated because the symptoms are so mild and the condition will most likely go away on its own after a few months. More severe cases, where the movements interfere with function, may be treated with medications. These medications may include: </p><ul><li>Anticonvulsants (like <a href="/article?contentid=258&language=english">valproic acid</a> and <a href="/article?contentid=90&language=english">carbamazepine</a>), which can reduce the frequency and severity of movements. Low doses of dopamine receptor blockers, such as <a href="/article?contentid=150&language=english">haloperidol</a>, or dopamine depletors, such as tetrabenazine, are also used. Since most children improve over time, they are usually not at risk of the long-term complications observed with these drugs. However, you should always discuss the potential benefits and risks of medications with your health-care provider.<br></li><li>Steroids may be used in severe and resistant cases. They help to get rid of antibodies that may cause symptoms to worsen. </li></ul><p>The doctor will also assess your child's heart. This is done because chorea is associated with rheumatic fever. Patients who have Sydenham's chorea may have an affected heart.</p><p>Children with SC will require treatment for streptococcal infection. They will then need prophylactic antibiotics to prevent further streptococcal infections. The duration of prophylaxis depends on if there are changes to the heart.</p><h2>Potential complications of Sydenham's chorea</h2><p>When a child is diagnosed with SC, they should be evaluated for inflammation of the heart (carditis).</p><p>Children with SC will require long-term antibiotic treatment. This helps prevent permanent heart valve damage, which could result if the child experiences recurrent streptococcal infections. Continuing long-term antibiotic treatment also helps to prevent recurrent episodes of SC.</p><h2>Resources</h2><p>National Organization for Rare Disorders. Sydenham Chorea. Retrieved from <a href="https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/sydenham-chorea/">https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/sydenham-chorea/</a></p><p>National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Sydenham Chorea Information Page. Retrieved from: <a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Sydenham-Chorea-Information-Page">https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Sydenham-Chorea-Information-Page</a></p>https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/Sydenhams_chorea.jpgSydenham's choreaFalse

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