The diagnosis of rheumatic fever by the clinical presentation of Sydenham chorea: case report

Sydenhams chorea is characterized by involuntary movements of the distal limbs and face region and mainly affects females during their childhood. It occurs by complication of pharyngotonsillitis caused by beta hemolytic streptococcus of the A group. This case report aims to describe a case of rheumatic fever diagnosed from a clinical picture of Sydenhams chorea. A descriptive case study of a female child was carried out, she was twelve years old, she sought the emergency care unit with involuntary movements in lower and upper rights limbs and face for five days, she had a previous history of infection an upper respiratory infection with self-limited evolution. The physical examination found, was in good general condition, with extension and flexion limbs movements, opening and closing hands movements, finger and face movements, complementary exams, they did not demonstrate any alterations, except ASLO of 217IU/ml. It was started a treatment with haloperidol, benzathine penicillin and and school progress evolved asymptomatic with improved choreatotic movements. This report demonstrates the relation between Sydenhams chorea and the late diagnosis of rheumatic fever, in addition to explaining the good prognosis from adequate and early therapeutic management.