Abstract
Sydenham’s Chorea is defined as a neurological disorder caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, which triggers rapid, uncoordinated choreiform movements, as well as neuropsychiatric disorders, carditis, and arthritis. We present the case of a 14-year-old adolescent who exhibited abnormal stereotypical movements, characterized by dystonia in the facial region and left lower extremity, hyperreflexia, reduced sensitivity in the left side of the body, and eye tics. He had had a history of respiratory disease two months before. He tested positive for antistreptolysin and negative for rheumatoid factor, and a brain MRI revealed hyperintensities in the subcortical and deep white matter. Treatment with benzathine penicillin, carbamazepine, and risperidone has shown satisfactory progress. The detection of the clinical manifestations of Sydenham’s Chorea, its early diagnosis, and proper medical management are essential to prevent possible sequelae.
References
Young P, Ipiña M, Mazza D. Thomas Sydenham (1624-1689), a casi 400 años de su nacimiento. Front Med 2023; 18(02):122–33. doi: 10.31954/RFEM/202302/0122-0133.
Vásquez S, Correa M, Rojas I, Tieck M, Díaz G. Corea de Sydenham: revisión práctica de la literatura actual. Rev Mex Neuroci 2018; 19(1):56-67.
Baizabal J, Cardoso F. Chorea in children: etiology, diagnostic approach and management. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2020; 127(10):1323-42. doi: 10.1007/s00702-020-02238-3.
Yimenicioğlu S, Kösger P. Evaluation of clinical findings and treatment options of Sydenham chorea patients. J Surg Med 2021; 5(4):367-70. doi: 10.28982/josam.804833.
Aty P, Hamza H, Mosaad N, Emam S, Fattouh A, Hamid L. New guidelines for diagnosis of rheumatic fever; do they apply to all populations? Turk J Pediatr 2020; 62(3):411-23. doi: 10.24953/turkjped.2020.03.008.
Muñoz A, Arias A, Flores M, Vila S. Adolescente con corea de inicio agudo: a propósito de una entidad olvidada. Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria 2021; 23(92):417-9.
Teixeira A, Vasconcelos L, Nunes M, Singer H. Sydenham’s chorea: from pathophysiology to therapeutics. Expert Rev Neurother 2021; 21(8):913-22. doi: 10.1080/14737175.2021.1965883.
Punukollu M, Mushet N, Linney M, Hennessy C, Morton M. Neuropsychiatric manifestations of Sydenham’s chorea: a systematic review. Dev Med Child Neurol 2016; 58(1):16-28. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.12786.
de Carvalho J, Churilov L. Sydenham’s Chorea as the first manifestation of rheumatic fever in two boys. Mediterr J Rheumatol 2021; 32(4):369-72. doi: 10.31138/mjr.32.4.369.
Baeza C, Martínez L. Enfermedad pediátrica por estreptococo del grupo A: revisión narrativa del estado actual. Rev Latin Infect Pediatr 2024; 37(1):8-25. doi: 10.35366/115481.
Ibrahim E, Mohamed R, Abbasher K, AbdAlla MT, Fadelallah M. Sydenham Chorea in Sudan; presentation panorama. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2023; 19:1657-63. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S417326.
Ekici A, Yakut A, Yimenicioglu S, Bora K, Saylısoy S. Clinical and neuroimaging findings of Sydenham’s Chorea. Iran J Pediatr 2014; 24(3):300-6.
Tariq S, Niaz F, Waseem S, Shaikh T, Ahmed S, Irfan M, et al. Managing and treating Sydenham chorea: A systematic review. Brain Behav 2023; 13(6):e3035. doi: 10.1002/brb3.3035.
Cappellari A, Rogani G, Filocamo G, Petaccia A. Corticosteroid Treatment in Sydenham Chorea: a 27-year tertiary referral center experience. Children (Basel) 2023; 10(2):262. doi: 10.3390/children10020262.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Laura Segura , Juan José Santana , Lorena García

