Chorea gravidarum: With the report of a case

Abstract

1.1. Chorea gravidarum is a rare disease which affects chiefly young primipara. It is also observed in multipara, however, and occasionally recurs with successive pregnancies.2.2. Pathologically, it is a low-grade encephalitis, apparently being precipitated by the toxemia of pregnancy, or originating in an earlier infectious disease, such as rheumatic or scarlet fever. A defective constitutional anlage is suggested as a fundamental requisite, and other influences, including fatigue, heredity and environment, are often significant.3.3. The disease is distinguished chiefly by choreiform movements and mental changes.4.4. The majority of cases are of mild degree and subside under conservative treatment. Others become severe, necessitating termination of the pregnancy. The origin of the symptoms is obscure, though it is believed that a previous infection was the underlying factor.5.5. A case of progressive chorea gravidarum is presented, in which cesarean section was performed during the sixth month of gestation.