Sydenham chorea: A review of 50 patients followed in Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Hospital between 1990-1997

Abstract

Sydenham chorea, a late manifestation of acute rheumatic fever, has been the most common form of acquired chorea in children. Epidemiological studies from developed countries clearly demonstrate a decline in rheumatic fever and Sydenham chorea. Nonetheless, we observed that acute rheumatic fever and Sydenham chorea is still a significant cause of morbidity in our country. In this study we reviewed fifty patients with Sydenham chorea in the last seven years (1990-1997) in our area. The group consisted of 33 female (66%) and 17 male (34%) ages ranging between 6. and 16 years with a mean age of 11.3 years. The chorea was generalized in 25 patients (50%) and in hemichorea form in the others. Cardiac involvement was detected in four patients (8%). Butirophenon was used for the treatment except two patients who did not respond well. They were given Valproic acid. After 1-210 days (mean: 10.6 days) of treatment a remarkable improvement in chore/form movements were detected and in 3-365 days (mean: 59 days) the movements fully disappeared. In this report we reviewed 50 patients with Sydenham chorea during the past seven years and illustrated that the disease is still a health-care problem in Turkey.