Sydenham chorea: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
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Sydenham chorea is a movement disorder that occurs after infection with specific bacteria called group A streptococcus.
Sydenham chorea is caused by an infection with bacteria called group A streptococcus. This is the type of bacteria that causes
(RF) and
. Group A streptococcus bacteria can trigger an
that reacts with a part of the brain called the basal ganglia to cause this disorder. The basal ganglia are a set of structures deep in the brain. They help control movement, posture, and speech.
Sydenham chorea is a major sign of acute RF. The person may currently or recently have had RF. Sydenham chorea may be the only sign of RF in some people.
Sydenham chorea occurs most often in girls before puberty but may be seen in boys.
Sydenham chorea mainly involves jerky, uncontrollable and purposeless movements of the hands, arms, shoulder, face, legs, and trunk. These movements look like twitches, and disappear during sleep. Other symptoms may include:
Changes in handwriting
Loss of fine motor control, especially of the fingers and hands
Loss of emotional control, with bouts of inappropriate crying or laughing
Symptoms of RF may be present. These may include:
High fever
Heart problem
Joint pain or swelling
Skin lumps or skin rashes
Nosebleeds
Antibiotics are used to kill the Group A streptococcus bacteria. Your provider may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent future RF infections. This is called preventive antibiotics, or antibiotic prophylaxis.
Severe movement or emotional symptoms may need to be treated with medicines.
Sydenham chorea usually clears up in a few months. In rare cases, an unusual form of Sydenham chorea may begin later in life.
No complications are expected.
Contact your provider if your child develops uncontrollable or jerky movements, especially if your child has recently had a sore throat.
Pay careful attention to your children's complaints of sore throats and get early treatment to prevent acute RF. If there is a family history of RF, be watchful, because your children may be more likely to develop this infection.
St. Vitus dance; Chorea minor; Rheumatic chorea; Rheumatic fever - Sydenham chorea; Strep throat - Sydenham chorea; Streptococcal - Sydenham chorea; Streptococcus - Sydenham chorea
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Jankovic J. Parkinson disease and other movement disorders. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 96.
Okun MS, Ostrem JL. Other movement disorders. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 379.
Updated by: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Professor of Neurology, Cooper-Inspira Neuroscience, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.