[A child with peculiar movements: Sydenham chorea]

Abstract

An 11-year-old girl with Sydenham chorea presented with a rapid onset of serious restlessness of mainly the right side of the body. Additional laboratory investigations revealed no abnormalities, yet this is not unusual for such cases. Valproic acid and pimozide were then successively prescribed because of the chorea. For secondary prevention she received long-term oral penicillin. Sydenham chorea is a manifestation of rheumatic fever and occurs after a throat infection by group A streptococci. The disease is characteristic and consists of a combination of choreic movements, hypotonia and emotional lability. The clinical course is diverse. Improvement usually occurs over a period of several months, although a significant proportion of patients exhibit little recovery.