Guide To The Risk Factors And Causes Of Sydenham's Chorea

Autoimmune Condition Connection

An individual who develops Sydenham's chorea may also have an autoimmune condition. Sydenham's chorea occurs when the immune system in an individual's body attacks the neurons that control their movement. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and several other autoimmune disorders also occur when the immune system inappropriately and abnormally attacks healthy cells around the body. Most autoimmune disorders like SLE occur because of a genetic predisposition in combination with environmental factors that produce abnormalities in the immune system. An individual with an autoimmune condition who contracts an infection that has been caused by group A streptococcus bacteria is at a greater risk of developing rheumatic fever and Sydenham's chorea because they already have pre-existing abnormalities in their immune system. When the immune system responds in the same abnormal way to antigens on the neurons that are similar to those associated with the streptococcus bacteria, the patient will develop Sydenham's chorea.

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Children Are Most At Risk

Out of all cases of chorea in children, Sydenham's chorea is the most prevalent precipitating form. The increased risk of Sydenham's chorea in children and adolescents is mostly attributed to the increased prevalence of infections caused by group A streptococcus bacteria that can be easily spread from one individual to the next in daycare, preschool, and school settings. Streptococcus bacteria is a very resilient type of bacteria that can survive for long periods on certain surfaces like toys, doorknobs, and other furniture. Therefore, children and adolescents are more likely to contract these infections than individuals of other age groups. As a result of this age group having more strep throat and other streptococcus infections, the rate of acute rheumatic fever following the infection is greater. Acute rheumatic fever due to a streptococcus infection is highest among children between ages five and fifteen years old. There is also a greater prevalence of rheumatic fever in children of lower-income demographics because the post-infection illness is more likely to develop in individuals who did not receive adequate medical treatment for the infection. Sydenham's chorea occurs as a complication of rheumatic fever, therefore it is also more prevalent among children.

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