TITLE:
Sydenham’s Chorea: Apropos of Three Observed Cases at the N’Djamena Mother and Child University Teaching Hospital (CHU-ME)-Chad
AUTHORS:
Hassan Adam Annour, Mahamat Ali Bolti, Ildjima Ousmane Kadallah, Hamit Mahamat Alio
KEYWORDS:
Sydenham Chorea, AAR, Streptococcus, CHU-ME, Chad
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.13 No.4,
July
18,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Post-streptococcal chorea is the most common form of acquired chorea in
children. Objective: The objective of this study was to contribute to
better management of this condition by giving the characteristics of the
epidemiological, clinical, biological, etiological, therapeutic and evolutionary
aspects. Methodology: This was a retrospective and descriptive study
from January 2021 to December 2021 which took place in the pediatrics department of the Mother and Child University
Teaching Hospital of N’Djamena (CHU-ME).
All the children in whom we observed abnormal involuntary movements whose age was less than or equal to 15 years were concerned. Result:
there were three female children. The average age was 7.5, of which the two are
7 years old and the third is 8 years old. Two had a history of angina. A notion
of polyarthralgia and dental caries was found in the third. The diagnosis of
post-streptococcal chorea was retained on the basis of clinical arguments:
observation of abnormal movements of the limbs and the face, which are
involuntary, sudden with an insidious and progressive onset, muscular
hypotonia, and psychic disorder. Medical imaging, in particular
echocardiography, which objectified two cases of associated rheumatic valvular
disease. Remission was observed in all three children after two weeks of
treatment with haloperidol, penicillin. Those with associated rheumatic valve
disease also received corticosteroid therapy. Complete remission of chorea was
observed in all three girls. Prophylaxis in two patients based on Penicillin V
was instituted. Conclusion: Although less frequent, post-streptococcal
chorea is still seen in our country and is still an important health problem
that needs more real medical efforts.