[Sydenham's chorea: diagnosis and treatment]

Abstract

Sydenham's chorea, the neurological manifestation of rheumatic fever, is the most common acquired chorea of childhood. This disorder is secondary to an autoimmune response against basal ganglia in the brain, induced by prior streptococcal infection. Chorea is a major criterion for the diagnosis of rheumatic fever and can also be the presenting feature of the disease. The incidence of rheumatic fever has been markedly decreased by improved socioeconomic conditions and increased antibiotic prescription. In the last two decades, however, this disease has reappeared and should be taken into account in the evaluation of children with movement disorders. In this paper, the author aims to present clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic findings of Sydenham's chorea patients.