Neuropsychiatric complications in childhood Sydenham's Chorea (VN1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation of the neuropsychiatric complications presenting in children with Sydenham's Chorea
IRAS ID
149640
Contact name
MALLIKA PUNUKOLLU
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Research summary
Sydenham’s chorea (SC) is an involuntary movement disorder. It is a manifestation of rheumatic fever and develops in susceptible individuals 4-8 weeks after a streptococcal throat infection. It remains the most common cause of chorea worldwide and typically affects children 5-18 years.
Features of chorea include involuntary and random movements, which can affect any part of the body and have a debilitating effect. The illness can cause problems with speech, swallowing, writing in addition to muscle weakness leading to problems with walking and paralysis. Patients with SC often develop psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, tics and in some instances a psychotic illness.
In the Royal hospital for Sick children (RHSC), Yorkhill we have had an increasing number of new presentations of SC.
Our study aim is to interview all children with SC, and their parents, who have been referred to the Psychiatry Liaison team of the RHSC to discover whether growing up physically, emotionally and socially is experienced differently for children with SC compared with population norms for their age group. We will additionally look for signs of continuing neurological disorder.
This will enable professionals to recognise & better manage patients with these symptoms.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
14/WS/1083
Date of REC Opinion
23 Sep 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion