Korea Sydenham

Sydenham's chorea is a neuromuscular pathology that primarily affects children who have gone through certain. The bacterium blamed for the appearance of Sydenham's chorea is, being the same bacterium that causes rheumatic fever. The response to the infection can have consequences on the nervous system, causing the mobility disorder manifested by chorea. Korea is a term that means \. Children and young people with this condition will present characteristic, fast, involuntary, uncoordinated movements, without order or exact patterns, movements that imitate dancing. In severe cases, these episodes can seriously affect the patient's life, interrupting daily activities.

Following a streptococcal infection, most of the time, some children can develop this neuro-muscular phenomenon. Article content\n \n \n . ro or from the SfatulMedicului mobile application (iOS, Android)\n . Thus, the infection does not reach the point where it causes neurological complications. Sydenham's chorea is thus more common in developing countries, where treatment options for strep infections are limited.

. Sydenham's chorea is most frequently diagnosed among children between the ages of 5 and 15, being more often found in girls. It occurs very rarely in adults or children younger than 5 years. Children who present such movement episodes, in the form of chorea, will have a higher risk of autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders, associated with beta-hemolytic streptococcus. These conditions can be manifested by signs and symptoms such as:\r\n\r\n.

Thus, patients with Sydenham's chorea are prone to diseases such as:\r\n\r\n. Instead of fighting the bacteria, the immune system will attack the normal brain tissue, which becomes the body's new target. The brain region that controls movement is the main target region. The symptoms can appear at any level of the child's body, at any stage in which he is. They often appear suddenly, especially when your child is tired.

Signs and symptoms can be classified into physical symptoms, speech disorders and cognitive-emotional symptoms. Physical symptoms\r\n\n\n \n \n \n . Cognitive and emotional symptoms especially involve difficulty concentrating. The symptoms appear late after the acute infection has healed, and can start at any time in the first 6 months after the infection. To establish the diagnosis, the pediatrician will ask some questions about the child's medical history, having to identify a recently diagnosed pharyngitis.

Blood tests can detect the antibodies and confirm the diagnosis. After establishing the diagnosis, the patient will need cardiological, neurological and psychological consultations. The optimal treatment options for your child depend on the severity of the symptoms. Milder forms often do not require treatment. In the case of patients with moderate to severe symptoms, drug treatment can be an effective option.

Corticosteroid drugs, for example, will help to remove antibodies from the body. Other drugs include substances usually used for other neurological pathologies, but they can also be administered in the case of Sydenham's chorea. • Anticonvulsants. These drugs favor nerve impulse control. • Antipsychotics.

These are prescribed to patients who need control over nervous tics or vocal outbursts. \r\n\r\n. If your child already has this condition, continuous treatment with low-dose antibiotics can improve chorea episodes and prevent streptococcal reinfections. . The long-term goal of antibiotic treatment is to prevent permanent cardiovascular and neurological complications.

Patients diagnosed with moderate to severe forms of Sydenham's chorea will not be able to carry out a large part of their daily activities, as the episodes of abnormal motility appear suddenly, unexpectedly and without following a pattern. Thus, one of the big challenges is anticipating these episodes and synchronizing all the activities around them. Children will have difficulties both in carrying out simple tasks such as brushing their teeth, as well as in integrating into group activities at school/in the group of friends. However, most children recover completely within 3 to 6 months of treatment. A small number of patients will continue to have chorea episodes up to 2 years after starting treatment.

Symptoms may reappear later in adult life, especially when triggered by factors such as pregnancy, birth control pills, and any other source of increased estrogen levels. . Sydenham's chorea is a neurological pathology acquired following infection with beta-hemolytic streptococcus, which often occurs in childhood. By promoting antibiotic treatment, the incidence of Sydenham's chorea has decreased considerably in developed countries with access to modern medicine. .

Even when the neurological changes that cause Sydenham's chorea set in, the treatment is effective and patients recover in a few months, most of the time. Do not hesitate to contact a pediatrician from the first signs of neurological deterioration, to prevent more severe complications. Bibliography\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n . VICTOR GOMOIU\n \n \n . .